Lovedrug - Pretend You're Alive

Genre rock Publisher The Militia Group External Links Militia Group

Lovedrug makes their introduction to the rock 'n roll world on Pretend You're Alive with the bombast neo-goth rocker "In Red." It's a fine introduction replete with heavy drum thumping. Drummer Joas Miller behind the kits sounds like a skeleton pounding on human hides as lead singer Michael Shepard sings of a passion filled hunt for thrills with the opening shrills, "Out of love for the hunt, out of love for the catch, for the thrill I will sail across this ocean, out of love, for a pirate seeking fortune." It's a very good beginning for the indie rockers out of Ohio. They somehow happen to meld the progressive dark goth-metal sound of Tool with the indie guitar flare of Snow Patrol without leaning too far into either territory.

"Blackout" is a powerful knockout blow that is drenched in quivering vocals and tells of a frightening first-hand account of domestic abuse. The creepy crawling pinched nasal vocals and echo backdrop chorus are done to good effect.

"Spiders" is an acoustic crawler with a soft waver that builds with each verse. Shepard's voice mimics the likes of Maynard James Keenan (Tool, A Perfect Circle) and Geoff Rickly of Thursday.

The strongest words on Pretend You're Alive come on "Rocknroll." "It's Tuesday and I already hit the bottle. I can't even fall in love at happy hour..." is pure high school and college paranoia being pushed to the margins. Metal kids everywhere will eat up the chorus, "You're good at pushing me out." This is some serious rock.

Pretend You're Alive is the album's opus, the title track an emo piano ballad with the mic volume dropped down to a skittering whisper.

The second half of the album does not fair as well, as it leans too heavily on simplistic piano and an emotional slow-mo, even while featuring strong moments of heavy guitar riffs and swallowed words of despair. These guys are simply at their best when they rock out.

Lovedrug have put out a rocky, yet enticing debut with some duff moments and missed opportunities. If they keep at it they may just be in Thursday territory by their second or third release.