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The Telescopes — Of Tomorrow
(Tapete TR531, 2023, CD/DL)

by Henry Schneider, Published 2023-07-25

Of Tomorrow Cover art

Of Tomorrow is The Telescopes’ fifteenth album, and the fifth on Tapete Records. The band began in 1987, with the only constant member being Stephen Lawrie. The band’s membership ebbs and flows with up to twenty members on an album. Of Tomorrow was created, composed, and recorded entirely by Lawrie in his studio in Shropshire and is a bit of a departure from his throbbing dense mix of noise and sound. What he presents this go around is a set of seven songs spanning 38 minutes, primarily dreamy, dark, and melancholic. Lawrie’s soporific vocals, at times unintelligible, interweave the processed instruments for some brooding poetic songs, flirting with both Krautrock and a modern take on New Wave. The high points of these sad songs for me include the opening track “Butterfly,” the catchy “Only Lovers Know,” and the last three songs, that make Of Tomorrow at standout album: “(The Other Side),” “Under Starlight,” and “Down by the Sea.” These hypnotic songs, motorik rhythms, and Lawrie’s moaning vocals, along with understated organ, are perfect for late night listening with their edge-of-consciousness approach. Quite a pleasant way of drifting off in to a trance.

Filed under: New releases, 2023 releases

Related artist(s): The Telescopes

More info
http://thetelescopes.bandcamp.com/album/of-tomorrow

 

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