VIMTV Episode #75: Loney, Dear – Dear John

Jake: Somewhat Recommended, 69/100

Tom: Somewhat Recommended, 64/100

Overview: As the brainchild of Swedish singer-songwriter Emil Svanagen, Loney Dear is an indie rock band that has made a formal commitment to making “new music.” Jake and Tom think that this is definitely evident in the 2009 release of Dear John, which mixes a lot of electronica beats, sound effects and strings to create an album that is very moody and darn near brooding.  Jake has seen Loney Dear twice live and Tom once and they’ll be the first to tell you: These guys rock live.  Emil Svanagen is the ultimate live showman, but it feels to VIMTV like Dear John is more just a compilation of Loney Dear’s highly effective and climactic live songs rather than then next big step in music.  Nevertheless, this is a talented, original sounding album that could have used a little more effort to make it feel less unfinished and more like an album.

Recommended Similar Artists: The Notwist, Thom Yorke, Andrew Bird

Jake’s Track Picks: 

• 6. I Got Lost
• 9. Harm/Slow

Tom’s Track Picks: 

• 2. Everything Turns to You
• 3. I Was Only Going Out

VIMTV Research Links:

• Loney Dear Band Website
• Wikipedia – Loney Dear
• Loney Dear – Dear John reviews at Metacritic
• Lyrics – Loney Dear
• MySpace – Loney Dear
• Loney Dear at Sub Pop Records