Lovelife represents a major shift in style for
Lush. Nearly abandoning the trancy melodies and droning guitars that were its trademark, the band has crafted an album full of sharp hooks and melodies, one that owes a great deal to the Britpop mania of 1995. From the circular melody of the opening "Ladykillers," it's clear that
Lush had been influenced by the direct, jagged pop of
Elastica, but the band also has reached back into '60s pop. All of the ballads on
Lovelife are rooted in the hazy dream pop of the early '90s, but they are given stylish, mod arrangements complete with muted brass. Even more startling is the
Nancy Sinatra/
Lee Hazlewood pastiche of "Ciao!," an irresistible duet between
Miki Berenyi and
Pulp's
Jarvis Cocker.
Lovelife simply would have been an embarrassing attempt to seem fashionable if the band hadn't succeeded in updating its sound. However,
Lush has been able to recreate itself as a pop band and the result is its most direct -- and arguably most rewarding -- album. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine