LDL - Lies Damned Lies as was - are Steve Butler, Charlie Irvine and Dot Reid. They recorded their first album for Siren/Virgin in 1989, produced in the U.S. by Stewart Levine (best known for his hit albums with Simply Red). The album was received as lush, glossy, transatlantic rock and the band felt artistically compromised by the project, parting company with Siren in 1991. Since then, four independently produced albums have appeared - moodier affairs, of tersely controlled fragility. In the intervening years the trio have published and produced a roster of other artists from their own studios in Scotland.
We have been making music together since 1989, trying to share what we do with a small network of compadres (of great taste). Ours is a journey of commitment and discovery, and it is best travelled in the company of others. We hope you'll discover and enjoy our songs. It is the listener who completes the work. In the listener's experience is the life of the music.
Our firm belief is that the chemistry of our collaboration is our strength. From the beginning, all of our music has been written and published jointly. Thanks for your interest.............
Having shortened their name from Lies Damned Lies, Glasgow-based three-piece LDL reliease their fifth album on their own Sticky Music (a label also responsible for “discovering” Ricky Ross, Juliet Turner and Iain Archer). After Virtue is another example of the strained craftsmanship that has sustained the band for five albums, after a brief and creatively unsuccessful brush with fame. The atmospheric “We Bring You Flowers”, trademarked by their astute observance of the less-is-more school of songwriting, sets the mood for an album that delicately spins its own beguiling web.
The wee-small-hours qualities of “Glorious Land” and the dreamy, jazzy, blues flavours of “Underneath The Sky” offer another side to their musical character, whilst the stark, melancholic “Beloved” and the gently appealing meanderings of “Walk On Water” put the seal on an album of immaculately crafted compositions”
(Steve Caseman)
Euphrodita.com
(Holland)
"To me, it was unlikely that they even were able to comprehend the level of Lamentations but I have to say this new record (The Last Place On The Map) is beyond expectations. Still, the lingering memories of the best moments of Talk Talk are there in their music. But Lies Damned Lies is so unique that they are incomparable. As always, LDL makes you think about the essence of life, the relation between man and man, and with God. The Last Map On Earth is a timeless document."
Coracle
(magazine of the Iona Community, Dec '02)
"Listening to LDL is a bit like watching a Ken Loach film, not exactly family entertainment, but you can't walk away without knowing that your life somehow takes on a new depth."
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."
Thanks for the add from a longtime fan. Lamentations and The Human Dress will always be my personal favorites. Also love the great Bandera you did with the late John Stewart!
God bless!
Your fan in Talladega, Alabama, U.S. Richard Scott Brown
Just downloaded the Robert Plant/Alison Krauss thing. There's a tune on there "Polly Come home" which could be LDL!! Hope you're all ridiculously well.
Hi Guys, thanks for the add, I dont imagine for one second that you will remember me, I played guitar with "big sur" and slept on your couch in Bristol during a tour back in 1988. Hope you are all well, Best wishes Cam. ps love the tracks!!!
LDL, thanks for the add. I've loved your music for a long time now; some of the songs have just 'stuck' and become part of my life 'soundtrack'! Great to find you on here.
Charlie, Dot, I'm playing in Glasgow at Brel on Thursday night - would be lovely if you could make it down. I'll be doing a solo set, followed by a set with Julie McKee - she's a fantastic jazz singer, and we're doing a whole set of covers of tunes by everyone from Slipknot to Stevie Wonder, via Kate Bush, John Martyn, The Cure, Green Day... have a look at our myspace page for more, or drop me a line.
