Original material
The Lapse and The Van Pelt’s vocalist, Chris Leo doesn’t need an introduction and he’s back with something new. Chris Leo’s Vague Angels released their latest album ‘The Sunny Day I Caught Tintarella Di Luna For A Picnic At The Cemetery’ on June 21st through Label, Expect Candy. Opening track ‘So Lonely’ starts out mellow, before changing into a swing . The build up of acoustics and low vocals can be compared to that of Pete Doherty’s solo work and singles such as ‘last of the English roses’ but with enough energy to make anyone get to their feet and dance along. Following track ‘I know an altar’ has a more modern sound, with an opening of both the electrics and acoustics fighting against one another with guitar hooks and thickening riffs, accompanied by the Mediterranean sound of brass and claps.
Lyrically, influences of Ian Brown and The Rolling Stones roll off Chris Leo’s tongue with a rhythm of their own. This track seems to be a short but sweet taste of what the following tracks have to offer. Following tracks such as ‘The Moon, The Metaphor’ seem very mellow and slow with more poetry than lyrics being sang. Similar to the title, the lyrics constantly become metaphors for something that a listener cannot really understand. There’s a fine line between being a lyrical genius and just being plain confusing, and Chris Leo seems to be dangerously balancing between the two in short two minute breaks.
However closing track ‘Isis Is Isi’ is a reminder of how individual artists such as Chris Leo's Angels exists. This track is a reminder of what makes this album original. The same use of both acoustics and electronics makes for a smooth blend of folk and modern rock that swings well with Leo's vocals. Repetition of 'Again and Again' does make the song seem to fade and gives the impression that all of Leo's best material was used up within the first few tracks, but this album still comes through as an album that stands out from many others out there.