It’s not all that long since that I was admiring the vaudevillian theatricality of The Lavender Scare’s previous single, and now they are back to show a whole other side to their sound. This LA based band formed from a shared love of Radiohead, and that influence is clear and present throughout as ‘Buried Behind Monet’ would sound right at home on Hail To The Thief. The downcast soaring guitar tone, blaring out like an air-raid siren, creates an ever-present tension that sets the scene for the foreboding world the song depicts. The unrelenting march of the rhythm section and piano sounds determined and defiant against the bleak backdrop, particularly when paired with the bittersweet riffs ringing out. This darker side to The Lavender Scare sounds like a different band entirely, and any band that can change their colours so convincingly is one to pay close attention to, as you never know what else they may have up their sleeve.
the lavender scare
Top Tracks: The Lavender Scare – Drag For A Queen
I do love a band with a dash of flair and ambition, two boxes that LA band The Lavender Scare have certainly ticked with their new single. Musically ‘Drag For a Queen’ reminds me of ‘Lillian’ by The Dear Hunter as it carries the same air of sleazy theatricality, albeit with James Delos Reyes’ unique gritty vocals. Lyrically it tells the tale of a drag queen that finds religion and later falls back into his old habits behind closed doors. With this vivid caricature that the song portrays, the band does a superb job at storytelling and at building up a whole other world within your mind. Dark, witty, and the very quintessence of style; if The Lavender Scare build on the successes of this track they will soon jump up my list of the most exciting bands around.