Loch Lomond - Little Me Will Start A Storm

A bit hard to get your teeth into.

Label: Chemikal Underground
Released: 24th October 2011
Reviewer: Amy Rich

Portland-based Loch Lomond bring a blend of sultry chamber pop to their sixth album, 'Little Me Will Start A Storm', and – if you can get passed the first track 'Blue Lead Fences' – you might find something you like.

Sadly, the album’s first offering has a sound reminiscent of the worst tracks on Mull Historical Society’s ‘This Is Hope’. 'Black Lead Fences' jilts about with childlike instrumentals, later on adding out-of-place percussion to the already uneasy listening. The less said about this track the better, so let’s move on.

Cue second track, 'Elephants & Little Girls', which is gorgeously understated but certainly draws you in. Both the vocals and melody have a Belle & Sebastian-esque feel to them and it’s a wistful heartfelt endeavour from start to finish. It's like the cream and jam filling in a Victoria sponge – the bit everyone loves – and the bit without which the cake would fall apart. Or, in this case, the album.

Next of note is 'Blood Bank', with its growly vocals and epic surging strings. Had this been the album’s opener, it would have been a lot easier to warm to 'Little Me Will Start A Storm'.

As it is, Loch Lomond’s sixth album is a bit hard to get your teeth into. And, personally, I don’t think a storm is about to be started any time soon – perhaps a light drizzle. Rating: 5/10