A Brief History of Amazing Letdowns
Encyclopedia
A Brief History of Amazing Letdowns is a 1994 mini-album by the American
indie rock
band
, Lilys
, released on the SpinART label on 10-inch vinyl and CD. The lead track, "Ginger", was used in a CK1
commercial. The album was issued in the UK in 1998. The album saw the band make their first major stylistic shift; The early My Bloody Valentine-influenced sound had given way to what Trouser Press
described as "pleasant, straightforward guitar pop".
described "Any Place I've Lived" as "the best melody Heasley's written to date".
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
, Lilys
Lilys
Lilys are an American indie rock band formed in Washington, D.C in 1988. The only constant member is Kurt Heasley, with the line-up changing regularly...
, released on the SpinART label on 10-inch vinyl and CD. The lead track, "Ginger", was used in a CK1
Calvin Klein
Calvin Richard Klein is an American fashion designer who launched the company that would later become Calvin Klein Inc. in 1968. In addition to clothing, Klein has also given his name to a range of perfumes, watches, and jewelry....
commercial. The album was issued in the UK in 1998. The album saw the band make their first major stylistic shift; The early My Bloody Valentine-influenced sound had given way to what Trouser Press
Trouser Press
Trouser Press was a rock and roll magazine started in New York in 1974 as a mimeographed fanzine by editor/publisher Ira Robbins, fellow Who fan Dave Schulps and Karen Rose under the name "Trans-Oceanic Trouser Press" ...
described as "pleasant, straightforward guitar pop".
Critical reception
Tim DiGravina of Allmusic described the mini-album as "a brief mini-album of amazing songs" and gave it a four-star review. He described it as "an essential release for fans of the Lilys and indie fans in general," going on to state "If music could define words, the first five songs here would be an pop/rock definition for the word beautiful." Trouser Press writer Douglas WolkDouglas Wolk
Douglas Wolk is a Portland, Oregon-based author and critic. He has written about comics and popular music for publications including The New York Times, Rolling Stone, The Washington Post, The Nation, The New Republic, Salon.com, Pitchfork Media, and The Believer...
described "Any Place I've Lived" as "the best melody Heasley's written to date".
Track listing
Personnel
- Kurt Heasley – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Harold "Bear" Evans – drums
- Paul "Pablo" Naomi – bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....