"After three decades of sonic observation, you start to realize what really good music sounds like. You know what you like. You like the Beatles. You like Thin Lizzy. You like Stevie Wonder. The declaration, “You’ll love this band!” no longer arouses much excitement. You’ve heard thousands of bands, millions of songs, and find little incentive to embark on any audible adventure when “The Boys are Back In Town” has already been written.
In terms of music, we download it, we burn it, but we rarely really listen to it. Perhaps I’m being selfish, but I listen to the Love Language because they write music I wish I’d written. I often picture myself playing these songs for some awkwardly shy, yet strikingly beautiful French girl on a jetty in Quebec, romantically duping her with my plagiarized sentiments. Dishonest, yet undeniably feasible. I could figure out those chords on guitar, and placidly convince some girl that these thoughts and feelings were my own. It’s not like trying to pass off “Blackbird” as an original composition. As you strum, you begin wishing that these poetically mundane moments were parts of your own past, until you realize that they are. That’s what the Love Language is to me: The modest declaration of the universal obvious. Songs written about apartments you’ve lived in and rotary phones that you’ve hung up. Although McLamb’s arrangements are typically overcast, each song reminds you of the towering trees that relish each falling drop. That there are winners and losers, but sometime tragedy makes the most beautiful story. After all, no one would remember the Titanic had it not sunk. That is the Love Language- the celebration of the sinking ship. Bon Voyage." – Jon Kirby, Wax Poetics
"Like recent indie breakthroughs Wavves and Times New Viking, McLamb uses lo-fi as a filter for his keen pop sensibilities, though his approach is far friendlier and less abrasive than either of those acts. Over the brief 29-minute course of the album, McLamb cycles through a wide range of indie-rock, country, and early-pop styles, all delivered with shouty charm and in-the-red verve, roughly approximating a sock-hop-era Arcade Fire." - Pitchfork
"Make way for Stuart McLamb, a genuine new talent with a name straight out of the annals of McDonald's villainy....McLamb dropped 'We are the Love Language' three times during the (SXSW) set. Soon, he won't have to do that stuff at all. Sooner the better." - Pitchfork
"...a casually stunning work of one-man-band lo-fi indie pop. McLamb's songs - a mix of moody piano ballads and bouncy guitar rock - are aching love letters to his ex that combine the emotional directness of Big Star with the raw immediacy of Guided By Voices." - Spin
"Key Track: Ultimate crowd-pleaser (and lone rocker) "Lalita," whose searing guitar brands itself across the brain instantly" - RollingStone.com
The self-titled debut album by the Love Language (on Bladen County) is the sole product of Stuart McLamb, a total fuck-up and half-genius. A bad break-up, a drunken night in jail and a move back to his parents’ house somehow resulted in nine songs that sound like M. Ward, the Walkmen and Guided By Voices raiding the basement mini-fridge. – Magnet
"Though love and heartache abound on The Love Language, McLamb is neither guilty of romanticizing the past nor projecting bitterly into the future. Instead, he candidly recalls the low points of love — the "violent fights," mistakes, and lies— from behind a veil of dreamy reverb, jangly guitars, and peppy tambourine beats that seem to cushion the blow rendered by McLamb's lyrics." - NPR
"Every now and then, when the wind is blowing the right way, the moon is half full, and the planets align you walk into a small club and have your face melted off by the sheer brilliance of some little band you've never heard of...Mark my words big things will be coming from that band. " - LAist
"(a) heady blend of Guided by Voices-infused indie pop and nightmarish, Phil Spector-meets-Animal Collective-style production..." - All Music Guide
"Like Cold War Kids raiding Arcade Fire." - Q
"The self-titled debut album is a fuzzy and slightly distorted collection of variations on the pop structure that is snappy and memorable, not to mention tells a story that can’t be ignored...It’s an incredible debut that shouldn’t be overlooked in any capacity as McLamb has a way with multiple languages." - Daytrotter
"If you've been looking for something different to sink your teeth into, I can't recommend this band (particularly "Lalita") enough." - I Guess I'm Floating
Initially, The Love Language was the result of a failed relationship, where the world had caved in on Stuart McLamb. But, the outcome of the record was not just a cathartic conquering of sorrow, but more importantly, the formation of a band that pushes itself beyond its original intentions. The Love Language has become a musical force that is comparable to The Arcade Fire with a penchant for pop like Saturday Looks Good To Me. They are not just a group of musicians playing McLamb's songs. Each member has made those songs their own and when they finish up their first must-see tour, it will be very exciting to hear what this band is capable of making when writing as a whole. - Better Propaganda
"There's a familiarity to the low buzz of something like Vivian Girls, and now The Love Language that somehow makes you wistful even on your first listen. I just want to drive some back road on some misty night with the windows down with this going full blast." - Ain't It Cool
"Stuart McLamb crafts delightfully moving pop-rock songs that feel like they've existed forever." - The Daily Tarheel
"The Love Language sounds like soul and pop wax melting into one LP on a Califone turntable. Recommended jams." - Independent Weekly
"The Love Language (are) focusing on crafting lo-fi pop treasures that sound as though they could have come from any era - and would have sounded just as exciting." - The Daily Tarheel
"And what can I say about The Love Language? These guys just truly rock, and have generated more excitement than any other local band has in the past three years, maybe more" - Wilmington Star News
"The Love Language is perfect for anyone looking for something new and innovative, yet possessing a classic '60s pop rock feel to reminisce with the "peace & love" era. I'm feeling a light, blended smoothie of the Strokes (rhythm and tone), a dash of the Magnetic Fields and a heavy serving of the Walkmen - but more oomph. With the percussion-meddling beats mixed with keyboards, guitars, pianos and tambourine, I think it's relatively obvious (and fortunate) that McLamb was really into exploring bands like the Beatles and the Kinks, along with some Motown, classic girl groups and other soul records during the recording of his record." - Yes Weekly
"...smooth hybridization of 1950s big beat and indie flare." - Willamette Week
..(reads TLL comment on her page. smiles. puzzles a bit, trying to recall whether she has a question out there. deciding there was none, and in response to the comment on her page, she queries):..
.."Oh, good, I have the answer. ... ... And may I pose the question of my choice?" ..(eyes roll back in her head as her imagination takes flight.)..
Hahahaaa, I remembered. That is so classic and beautiful!
Hey, dropping by to say hello. Hope things are well with you all in Chapel Hill. It's hot as hell today in Lawrence. Say hello back if/when you get a sec.
Evidence that the world is smaller than in seems: I met you all in Portland when you played NW music fest, (absolutely loved you) and now I am living with your friend Tim in Greenpoint. I hope you are all well and playing in NY soon.
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