
iLIKETRAINS – Elegies To Lessons Learnt (Beggar’s Banquet, 2007)
I’ve been putting this one off for a while (it was actually the third of my Avalanche purchases) but not because I don’t like the record (I do) but because I’m not quite sure quite how to convey that.
Overall iLIKETRAINS’s approach is quite highly stylised – lyrical vignettes, which in truth are pretty vague but are intended to be about historical incidents. The lyrics are delivered in a mannered fashion over music which presumably is regarded (by people who know better than I do) as post-rock. And it’s the music that draws me in – at their best iLT make a glorious noise and are quite epic at times (see the 9 minute plus ‘Spencer Perceval’ for proof) but with passages of real beauty as well – LP closer ‘Death Is The End’ in particular is just … haunting.
The vocals themselves are more of an acquired taste. The weird thing is that, given the subject matter of the songs, their almost cadaverous delivery lends them an air of historical accuracy as if the singer was actually present at the events in question. I know that sounds ridiculous but it is a surprisingly effective technique.
Despite rarely revving up above midtempo ‘Elegies’ is a really good LP but I rather suspect that if you’ve heard them before, my recommendation isn’t going to change anyone’s minds. However if you haven’t heard them before give the following track a chance:
iLIKETRAINS – We Go Hunting (from ‘Elegies To Lessons Learnt’) [Buy it]
As ever, if you like the song, please support the artist by buying the album and going to see them live.
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