 I'm sorry I missed 'em the first time around on their Distorted Lullabies 2001 breakthrough, because Precious comes across as a pleasant surprise. Upon reading the lyrics, I was left with an impression that Ours were more about substance than style, but I wasn't sure if they were another of these multi-purpose, please everyone and sell millions outfits.
In truth, they may sell millions with their catchy, radio ready hooks and sensuous ballads, but they'll leave a felt presence with their music regardless - much like The Cure or The Church - traversing every emotion before touching upon reality in an ultimately uplifting passage.
Jimmy Gnecco - chief lyricist and dominant voice to the proceedings - goes from croon, to crash, to cosmic the way few often can, adapting from ethereal to earthy to over the edge as the need arises.
Precious is foremost an indie rock style record with pop overtones, quaint gothic underpinnings, and an aural mystique that's again directed towards The Cure, maybe Morrissey, modern rock marvels like Must, a less static Deadsy, definitely a whisper of Wallflowers . . . even Joshua Tree-era U2. The sleeper hit is undoubtedly their glistening cover of The Velvet Underground's Femme Fatale. On the one hand, you're swimming in a sea of dread with tracks like Kill The Band or Place, while on the other, a flame of frivolity lights up the dark for In A Minute or the revealing If Flowers Turn. Red Colored Stars is the dynamic closer, where the resounding sense is of promise and hope sprung from light acoustics and an inquisitively demanding chorus.
In an age where many bands are defined by the immediacy of their next teen anthem, Ours set loftier goals for a fuller, fancier future. :: Vinnie Apicella |
