Following in the grandiose footsteps of their previous albums, The Lemon Twigs’ third studio release Songs For The General Public does not fail to display the band’s immense musical chops in their typical style of controlled chaos. Originally set for May 1st, current conditions forced the album’s release date to unfortunately be pushed back to August 21st. It was recorded between Sonora Recorders in LA, where Jonathan Rado of Foxygen produced portions and their home state of New York’s famed Electric Lady Studios.
The album features a vast amount of genre choices, as almost every song seems to be an absolute mixed bag of past and present influence. However light-hearted certain songs may appear, the lyrical theme of Songs For The General Public is more or less about relationships, mainly focusing on the aspects that are under-explained. Whereas Go To School, the duo’s previous release, was a semi-ambiguous concept album, Songs For The General Public dives more specifically into painful themes.
The album opener“Hell On Wheels” kicks it all off with a nod to their true power pop nature, while “Live In Favor Of Tomorrow” begins to introduce the theme of heavy subject matter beneath soaring arrangements. Reminiscent of a track off of Velvet Underground’s Loaded with hints of Sparks, it hits all the marks with perfect builds and pauses and a very tight bass part. With its Supertramp-esque intro, “No One Holds You Tighter” sends the album on a completely different trajectory. The song’s lyrics are a statement on the indecisiveness and wanderlust some people feel in relationships. Certainly, the narrator wouldn’t be able to settle and doesn’t seem to have any qualms with that reality.
“Fight” brings their signature early glam sound to the forefront. Another song about the difficulties of relationships, painting the picture of a couple that argues constantly and openly despises each other. “Somebody Loving You” shoots their sound into a more contemporary style in the best way. It could be considered more like today’s music than any other song they’ve released and still displays their commitment to structure and harmony.
Featuring Michael D’Addario’s wide variety of vocal styles with what seems like different character choices, “Moon” is more straightforward than most songs on the album but still executes musical aspects that have come to typify their music. According to the band’s website, Michael’s inspiration came in part from BhadBhabie after she appeared on Dr. Phil in 2016. He explains “She wasn’t a typical person, she wasn’t going to do whatever everybody expected her to do…and I identified with that.”
“Only A Fool” has a Steely Dan, prog jazz-rock level of song structure, as it’s such an incredibly well put together song it’s almost like they wrote the song just to show off their control and songwriting acumen. Everything seems like a tightly wound machine. Using symbolism, “The Hog” describes the feeling of looking back or at a current relationship and being comfortable with being consumed by your partner. Ashamed” begins with a section of melancholy acoustic verses, maturing into a Lou Reed style solo electric ballad, and finally landing in an ambient field much like Brian Eno’s masterpiece Another Green World.
What makes The Lemon Twigs such an exciting band to follow is that they have maintained a way to be new and still very rooted in what past masters of rock have accomplished sonically. From being produced by Todd Rundgren to having praise heaped on them from titans like Elton John and The Zombies, it’s clear the respect for their music isn’t just reserved for their current era. When all is said and done, Brian and Michael D’Addario will be in a conversation right alongside them, as truly exceptional contributors to rock’s archives. For fellow fans of The Lemon Twigs, I’m sure we can agree it was absolutely worth the wait.
