Review by: Jennifer Perkins

LMP ('La Musique Populaire') and their little EP The New Body Language, makes me very happy, this is damn good stuff. As their press release says: “Many current styles”. They fluctuate between light dance music and guitar ridden 70’s pop. The funny thing is, they do both well.

Let’s start with the odd numbered tracks, which for whatever reason seem to be the bands dancy numbers. The first track on the disc, “Fanfare of the Ice Hockey World Championships 81”. For the most part the track is instrumental. The only hint at human life is the slight vocals that have been run through some sort of electronics so that they are left as nothing more than a distorted jumble. The track is peppy and catchy and got me plenty excited for the rest of the disk. Air Miami came to mind. “Graduation Angel” the third song includes lovely harmonies and hand claps again over an electronic danceable backdrop. The 5th track “Nosferatu” is kind of an in-between song. Crooning about vegan boots and record store employment.

Then there are the two rock songs, which are the even numbers. My favorite track on the disk is Cornelius Crane #2. The song is a cross between Big Star and David Cassadey. If LMP where around in the 70’s I would have had a tin lunchbox and matching thermos with them on it. This songs let’s the band show their muscles with real drums and amped up electric guitars. LMP tackle the more mellow side of rock-pop with #4 “Foolin’ Around”. Again, there is a distinct 70’s sound, but this time much more on the soft pop rock side.

So yes, LMP do have many current styles. Typically when bands spread themselves thin like this between two genres I am often tempted to suggest they pick one side of the rock fence or the other. With LMP I would feel like Solomon trying to make that decision for them. LMP could just as easily make you want to don some glitter and get up and dance as the could compel you to throw your fist in the air and rock out.