Lord Huron – Strange Trails (ALBUM REVIEW)

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Lord Huron burst on the scene in 2012 with the blustery dream-folk sounds of their debut record Lonesome Dreams. A gorgeous flowing stream of clean harmonies and angelic guitars, Dreams made a deep footprint, and the band sold out countless shows on that tour. And they’ll likely follow suit with their follow up record Strange Trails, Lord Huron is still cranking out visual soundscapes with their pretty melodies and up-tempo hippy grooves worthy of every summer music festival from east coast to west coast.

It may take a few listens of Trails to really and truly differentiate it from Dreams. They’re not all that different of records. In fact, Trails almost sounds like an extension of Dreams, as though the band couldn’t fit every song they wanted on their first album so they divvied it up into two and released them a couple of years apart. That it’s 14-songs long tells us that they obviously still have a lot more to say. The LA-based five-some is so skilled at these sun-drenched travelogue songs, you can’t hold it against them.

They take a slightly more country turn on a few songs, particularly the catchy “Dead Man’s Hand”, a dark cowboy song that details the disposal of a body with rich harmonicas. Similarly, “Hurricane” is a foot-stomper that fuses those glistening guitar melodies with twangy vocal harmonies.

Nearly all their songs seem to have that same general message of “life is short” and “live in the now”. They’d make the perfect soundtrack for that annoying frat guy from college who follows every trail and adventure with total abandon and mysterious funding. Or for a collage of beautiful people exploring the world, tanned and taut and full of vibrant life and vigor. Doesn’t mean these songs aren’t great, just that there’s noting too unique about them. And there sure as hell didn’t need to be more than a dozen of them to make a quality record.

Of course, there are a handful of standouts here, particularly the haunting “La Belle Fleur Sauvage”, an almost rockabilly guitar-driven dreamboat of a song, and the menacing surf guitar noir “The World Ender”. As a whole, Trails is much more energetic than Dreams. Lord Huron sounds best when they seem to be edging outside their comfort zone more. Songs with interesting guitars and quirkier vocals lend more intrigue than the countless dreamy half-ballads about how beautiful the land is. Had they cut three or even four of these and narrowed Trails down to ten solid stories, it would be a much stronger sophomore effort.

Fans of Lord Huron will seriously dig this, though, and there’s no harm in that. Trails is a fun record, and will make for some great barefoot dance parties this summer. Just don’t be surprised if you start hearing it more and more in Urban Outfitters, or even a car commercial. But there is substance here, so try not to write it off too soon if you do.