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release: October 1996
producer/engineer: LDL
musicians
steve butler (vocals, acoustic guitar)
dot reid (harmonies, keyboards)
charlie irvine (harmonies, electric guitar, acoustic guitar)
guest musicians
ewen vernal (electric bass, acoustic bass)
eddy john (drums, percussion)
wild geese (backup vocals)
Tracks
01 The Sea
02 In The Air
03 Is It Nothing
04 Lamentation II
05 Mumble and Moan
06 Free Of The Fear
07 Happiest You've Been
08 Let Me Go Home
09 Lamentation I
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The Phantom Tolbooth
United States
"Where Flying Kites was, for all it's creativity, essentially a pop record, Lamentations is a sprawling, expansive work rich in texture, color and depth. Most of the songs push well past the 3:30 mark, allowing for more development of musical themes and displays of the band's seemingly endless skill. The guitar work in "In The Air" draws on jazz roots, and the delicate finger picking blends gorgeously with Butler's reedy voice. "Is It Nothing" moves from mournful piano to slow drum loops in the space of about a minute thirty. "Lamentation II" could fit perfectly on Angelo Badalementi's moody Twin Peaks soundtrack. The stirring "Let Me Go Home" begins slowly and then surges into a chorus of gospel voices and dramatic timpani rolls. Lies Damned Lies makes it all work because they are such accomplished musicians and are dedicated to delivering a product that will be truly timeless.
One of the most refreshing things about Lamentations is it's maturity. Not once during the course of the 1 hour project does LDL stoop to traditional expectations or insult the listener's intelligence with a shopworn phrase. Lamentations is gimmick-free, and that adds all the more to it's somber and plaintive mood.
It is unlikely that Lamentations will garner LDL the American fan base Flying Kites was supposed to, but that seems beside the point. What is important is that the band can continue to make intelligent records on their own terms for whomever is brave enough to seek them out. Lamentations is well worth the hunt."
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