Lungs for the Race

lungs for the race

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
If Havergal main man Ryan Murphy had recorded Lungs for the Race a few years ago, the album probably would have featured a conventional guitar-bass-drums rock lineup. But on his debut full-length, the Texan uses loops, electronic textures, and drum machines as well as traditional rock instrumentation to accompany his restrained, emotional vocals. Lungs for the Race isn't electronica; Murphy is simply using available technology to create new-school indie rock. These songs take their sweet time, eschew big hooks, and savor sonic nuances. The CD has a melancholy flavor, but since Murphy hypnotizes us with all those layers of lulling loops, lines such as "Like fires in the attic/ It's hit home again," sound as dreamy as they do sad. Listening to Lungs for the Race is like eavesdropping on someone's sleepy but crystal-clear thoughts; this album hovers like a sound cloud in a bedroom infused with warm afternoon light. --Fred Cisterna

Lungs for the Race,Havergal,Secretly Canadian,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

Lungs for the Race
Lungs for the Race
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • a beautiful sleeper of a record
  • Isaac Brock? No, wait, it's Ryan Murphy.
  • This Record Is Amazing!
 Lungs for the Race
Havergal
Manufacturer: Secretly Canadian
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005424B
Release Date: 2001-04-03

Tracks:

  1. Fires In The Attic
  2. Lungs For The Race
  3. Type Written Trees
  4. Lick And Stick
  5. Hey
  6. Letters '98
  7. Rich Kids All Turn
  8. I Hate
  9. Three Peaks
  10. Bring In The Bugs

Amazon.com

If Havergal main man Ryan Murphy had recorded Lungs for the Race a few years ago, the album probably would have featured a conventional guitar-bass-drums rock lineup. But on his debut full-length, the Texan uses loops, electronic textures, and drum machines as well as traditional rock instrumentation to accompany his restrained, emotional vocals. Lungs for the Race isn't electronica; Murphy is simply using available technology to create new-school indie rock. These songs take their sweet time, eschew big hooks, and savor sonic nuances. The CD has a melancholy flavor, but since Murphy hypnotizes us with all those layers of lulling loops, lines such as "Like fires in the attic/ It's hit home again," sound as dreamy as they do sad. Listening to Lungs for the Race is like eavesdropping on someone's sleepy but crystal-clear thoughts; this album hovers like a sound cloud in a bedroom infused with warm afternoon light. --Fred Cisterna

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars a beautiful sleeper of a record.......2001-06-28

maybe i fell deeply into this record because it was the first thing i heard in a long time that no one else seemed to care about... but, this is such a mature and accomplished release from ryan murphy, the owner of western vinyl. drawing arab strap and modest mouse comarisons i don't think do it justice. its drenched with a very american perspective and what i perceive as the trappings of texas suburbia (but maybe thats because i am a product of texas suburbia as well.) the lyrics are the simple sort that eventually weigh heavily with repeat listens. i hope you give it a listen. its worth the time.

4 out of 5 stars Isaac Brock? No, wait, it's Ryan Murphy........2001-04-23

Somewhere between Her Space Holiday and Modest Mouse, Havergal is Ryan Murphy (from Texas)...but seriously...try not to mistake him for Isaac Brock! If you can get over that, you'll like this better. "Lungs for the Race" is a really good debut full-length which shows mellow, well-crafted creativity... the perfect blend of electronic and indie. The sound? Static-y with a drum machine and other lo-fi electronics. It ranges from melodic to dischordant at times. There are two instrumental tracks but the rest have lyrics. Besides Murphy's voice, this album is really quite unique, and I recommend it if you like creative, slightly electronic, bedroom-pop, mellow, indie tunes.

5 out of 5 stars This Record Is Amazing!.......2000-12-07

This record is really really amazing. It's been a long time since I've heard a band that was able to cover so much ground musically. The cover of the Velvet Underground's "Candy Says" is a perfect variation of a perfect song.

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