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Life Is Good LFO J Records, 2001 Tracks 1: Every
Other Time
Buy it online
Reviewed by Sienna Powers
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LFO doesn't suck. And while I freely admit that this is an odd way to begin a review, it seems especially important to mention with regard to this group. When examined carefully their potential for sucking is just so large. In the first place, and in case you didn't know this, LFO stands for Lyte Funky Ones. No, really. So the name alone leaves them way open for shots from all angles. (Lyte? Puh-leeze.) In the second place, LFO is comprised of three gorgeous boys. And I use the word "boys" in the loosest possible way. I really don't know how old they are. They're clearly being marketed at teenaged females and they're appropriately groomed to that demographic. They could be 17 or they could be 35. It doesn't matter. They look boyish in any case: their clear visages marked only by the obligatory pouts and sexually loaded squints. In the third place, LFO was initially managed by Lou Pearlman, manufacturer of groups such as 'N Sync, Backstreet Boys and O-Town. The trio reportedly balked early at Pearlman's attempts at molding LFO into the type of faceless boy band that has become his signature. LFO is now managed by Bruce Garfield, Jerry Goldstein and Glenn Stone of Avenue Management whose past credits have included Isaac Hayes, Duran Duran and Led Zeppelin. Life Is Good is an appropriate sophomore album for the group that gave us "Summer Girls" (remember all of that Abercrombie & Fitch stuff in the summer of 1999?) on their self-titled debut album two years ago. There's less bubblegum on Life Is Good. More texture and substance. The strongest thread through Life Is Good is band member Rich Cronin's hook-laden writing. Cronin is credited with at least co-songwriting credits throughout Life Is Good. His signature snugly nested lyrics are prominent on every track. What's new for post-Pearlman LFO is the vast range of influence the group has allowed themselves on this album. On Life Is Good, LFO dips heavily into almost every place that dipping could be done. Influences of rock, soul, hip-hop, 80s pop and 60s rock give Life Is Good an unexpected richness and depth. Unexpected, at least, if you've followed the trio's career and taken the measure of those smooth, pretty faces. To finish out this layering, guest appearances by rappers M.O.P. (on "Life Is Good"), De La Soul (on the superlative "Alayna") and the clear soul vocals of Kelis (on the "Dandelion" remix that ends Life Is Good) contribute to the feeling of a tight, finished album with all of the details seen to and all of the elements in place. Though the music is solid and -- really -- surprisingly good, Life Is Good has brought some Pearlman-style boy band elements with it, elements that have nothing to do with the music. For instance, the album's liner notes include individual shots of the group, identified by first name only. You have to know going in that LFO is Rich Cronin, Brad Fischetti and Devin Lima, because the liner notes don't actually tell you that. In fact, it almost feels as though the depth of the musician's talents have been masked on the credits and if you read those credits closely you can buy a clue. And I wonder -- and if you know, please tell me -- if, for instance, the primary songwriting and vocal arrangement credit given to H. Lima on the vocally intricate "If I Had A Dollar" is actually Devin? And, if so, what does the "H" stand for? And, if not, is that Lima related to the LFO Lima? I really want to know. And, once again, I'm shocked and annoyed at the current penchant for groups aimed at teenagers to spend so much time thanking God in their liner notes. How did this get to be in fashion? What ever happened to lyrics? What ever happened to photos of girlfriends and pets? See for yourself: from Rich's thank-yous that accompany Life Is Good: Just know that we wrote every song from inside us, from our hearts! And it's a dream come true to be able to share it with you!!!!!!! Oh Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to thee. What the hell is that? It almost makes you want to read it backwards to look for satanic messages. Despite nitpicks with the liner notes,
Life Is Good most certainly does not suck.
Interestingly layered vocal and musical elements and tightly
wound lyrics that deliver hook upon hook, LFO is out of the
gate. Here's betting that their next album delivers them
fully to adulthood. | October 2001 |
What's new for post-Pearlman LFO is the vast range of influence the group has allowed themselves on this album. On Life Is Good, LFO dips heavily into almost every place that dipping could be done. |
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