Play 90 second soundbite of 'Colosseum' @ 'CD quality'
Plymouth's Lemanis have a nucleus of four multi-instrumental members who are joined, as and when necessary, by another ten similarly talented individuals. Lemanis make a very contemporary sound that's extremely hard to classify or pigeon-hole and that's probably by design and choice rather than luck! I get the distinct feeling that Lemanis started out as a project born out of a desire to push the boundaries of contemporary pop-rock music like no-one else before them. There are a few that are, I suppose, somewhat akin to Lemanis; perhaps The Polyphonic Spree is a good comparison because of their ability to 'orchestrate' within the confines of the rock form and outrageously push the limits of harmony and discord and still make it work. And then perhaps The Beach Boys, or at least Brian Wilson, insomuch that classy, mature, multi-part harmonies are made to sit side by side with classic pop riffs and youthfully rockin' overtures. But, Lemanis can stand proud knowing that they're really as individualistic as hell and just about as original as it gets.
Lemanis' massively captivating music is simplistically complex (I know what I mean - it sounds more complex that it actually is!!) and multi-layered, entertainingly but not challengingly diverse and refreshingly unique. Nothing here is the least bit predictable but kinda conversely there appears to be a natural flow and seamless quality to all thirteen tracks which somehow come together as one and feel almost like a concept album. It's a strangely strange but oddly normal and nonetheless tantalising work that glides from dark, brooding orchestration and charmingly arranged harmonies to somewhat retro-progressive 'nursery-crimes' reminiscent of Caravan and early Genesis whilst, ever-present, there sits that very clever and hard to define Wilson-esque pop magic. There's no doubt that this is a very clever, very mature work; maybe not truly commercial but certainly cultish!
'The Truth About A Push Me Pull You' by Lemanis is a remarkably rewarding musical kaleidoscope of exciting sounds, evocative themes and mind-boggling juxtapositions; an album to let yourself be carried away on, to indulge yourself in, to enjoy in whatever way you feel fitting at any given time. 'The Truth About A Push Me Pull You' by Lemanis defies genre categorisation, it pushes hard at both rock and pop envelopes, it conjoins most modern musical influences and positively sticks two fingers up at indie banality. This is mature popular music for the more discerning and open minded music lover. Fanfuckintastic!!
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