COMING FROM nowhere in 2014, Lucius delivered, for my money, the best album that year in Wildewoman, which revelled in exuberant indie-pop contrasted with country tinged ballads.
Expectations are naturally high for the follow up - their third, the debut was Songs From The Bromley House - and the duo of Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig don't disappoint. Indeed they surpass the debut, as a greater confidence is audible in all aspects of songwriting, arrangement, and vocal delivery. One listen to the grandstanding, infectious, chorus of the inspired 'Something About You' confirms these are first rate pop songs of musical and emotional depth, with a sideways slant that keeps them in the indie camp.
Other highlights include the frantically brilliant 'Born Again Teen', which captures perfectly the rush and excitement of new love; 'My Heart Caught On Your Sleeve' is a showstopping ballad; while the spot-on eighties homage 'Almost Makes Me Wish For Rain' is the greatest hit single 1987 never had. Wolfe and Laessig's country side emerges on the waltzing, acoustic, ballad 'Dusty Trails', is elevated by a perfectly judged vocal performance from the pair.
Good Grief is, without exaggeration, the kind of album that gives the often, much maligned, term 'pop music' back its good name. In short, Lucius have gone and done it again - made a serious contender for album of the year.
