If you’re expecting to hear more of the psychedelic soul of Lewis Taylor’s breakthrough album, Stoned, you might not take too well to The Lost Album. Ostensibly an homage to the smooth radio hits of the mid-to-late ‘70s, this wildly experimental, sun-drenched collection of contemporary prog-rock tunes was a major departure for Taylor at the time of its recording in 1999. Following three years after his critically lauded but under-selling self-titled debut, Dig was Taylor’s artistic “fuck-you” to the journalists who attempted to pigeonhole him as the white man’s answer to Marvin Gaye. (No wonder the record was rejected by his then-label, Island.) Taking its cue from the music of Rush, the Beach Boys, America and Fleetwood Mac, The Lost Album would best be classified in today’s terminology as adult contemporary or even—gasp!—easy listening, the operative word there being “easy.” Indeed, these smooth-grooved tracks (of which “Hide Your Heart Away,” “Leader of the Band” and especially “Please Help Me If You Can” are solid standouts) go down just like sugar-coated candies, coasting along on a dreamy, heavily instrumented vibe that showcases Taylor’s celebrated—or reviled, depending on whose review you read—penchant for lush harmonies and musical virtuosity. It gets better each time you listen it to it, too. Though a far cry from the more sophisticated Stoned, this “lost” recording serves as a formidable hold-over until Taylor returns with a new studio album.
~ Ken Knox
Release date: January 23, 2007
Buy Album from CD Universe
