Precollection is a 2003 album by 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 by Manifesto Records. The album was recorded over two years by the band's only constant member Kurt Heasley with a new line-up of the band, which included producer Mike Musmanno on keyboards

Keyboard instrument

A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...

. The album was reissued in 2004 on the Rainbow Quartz International label under the title The Lilys, with different sleeve art and three bonus tracks. Lyrical themes include "the acquisition of illegal substances" in the Hunting Park area of Philadelphia on "Will My Lord Be Gardening", which Heasley stated is "about loving someone after they get fucked up, I mean fucked...and that's fucked up," and his relationship with his children ("The Perception Room"). "Will My Lord Be Gardening" was included on the soundtrack of the 2005 film Waiting....

Critical reception

Philadelphia City Paper

Philadelphia City Paper

Philadelphia City Paper is a free alternative news weekly in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was established in November 1981 as a spin-off of the now defunct WXPN Express newsletter. New issues are released every Thursday....

s Brian Howard found "plenty to recommend" but viewed it as "not Heasley's finest". Michael Alan Goldberg of City Pages

City Pages

City Pages is an alternative weekly newspaper serving the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. It features news, film, theatre and restaurant reviews, and music criticism. It is printed in a tabloid format, and is available free every Wednesday...

 noted the strong influence of The Kinks

The Kinks

The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...

 (to the extent of stating that the album "frequently finds him appropriating Ray Davies's North London accent"), but goes on to say "at least the Lilys' earnest homage to days gone by demonstrates that there's some honor among magpies and thieves." Heather Phares, writing for Allmusic, called the album "the closest [Heasley]'s come to an original sound in some time", and stated that long-term fans of the band would "probably find the album a breath of fresh air". Amanda Petrusich of Pitchfork Media

Pitchfork Media

Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...

 makes similar observations about the Kinks/Ray Davies similarities, but giving the album a 7.7/10 rating called it "addictively palatable and, occasionally, surprisingly innovative." Glen Sarvady of CMJ New Music Monthly

CMJ New Music Monthly

CMJ New Music Monthly was a monthly music magazine with interviews, reviews, and special features. Each issue included a compact disc with 15 to 24 songs by well established bands, unsigned bands, and everything in between...

 noted Heasley's continuing "U.K. fixation", and identified Julian Cope

Julian Cope

Julian Cope is a British rock musician, author, antiquary, musicologist, poet and cultural commentator...

 as an influence, as did Jeff Terich of Treble, who also saw an influence from Echo & the Bunnymen

Echo & the Bunnymen

Echo & the Bunnymen are an English post-punk band, formed in Liverpool in 1978. The original line-up consisted of vocalist Ian McCulloch, guitarist Will Sergeant and bass player Les Pattinson, supplemented by a drum machine. By 1980, Pete de Freitas had joined as the band's drummer, and their debut...

. Robert Hickey, writing for PopMatters

PopMatters

PopMatters is an international webzine of cultural criticism that covers many aspects of popular culture. PopMatters publishes reviews, interviews, and detailed essays on most cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, films, books, video games, comics, sports, theater,...

 called it "a rare misstep for Lilys" and identified an influence from "late-'80s UK indie-rock", while Kathleen Wilson of The Stranger

The Stranger (newspaper)

The Stranger is an alternative weekly newspaper in Seattle, Washington, USA. It runs a blog known as Slog.-History:The Stranger was founded by Tim Keck, who had previously co-founded the satirical newspaper The Onion, and cartoonist James Sturm. Its first issue came out on September 23, 1991...

 called it "an absolute gem that shines with variety." Linda Laban of the Boston Herald

Boston Herald

The Boston Herald is a daily newspaper that serves Boston, Massachusetts, United States, and its surrounding area. It was started in 1846 and is one of the oldest daily newspapers in the United States...

described the album as "filled with sonically muted, melody-drenched, scenic songs that drive the cognitive senses as keenly as they move the hips."

Precollection

1. "Precollection" (Heasley) 3:42
2. "Melusina" (Heasley) 4:16
3. "Will My Lord Be Gardening" (Heasley) 3:35
4. "Mystery School Assembly" (Heasley) 4:53
5. "Squares" (Heasley) 3:01
6. "Catherine (let a positive stream...)" (Heasley) 2:33
7. "Perception Room" (Heasley) 4:57
8. "Meditations on Speed" (Heasley) 5:07
9. "Dunes" (Heasley, Miller, Schlafer) 2:49
10. "365" (Heasley) 2:54

The Lilys

1. "Precollection" (Heasley)
2. "You're Getting Closer"
3. "Perception Room"
4. "Catherine (Let A Positive)"
5. "Film's Camera"
6. "Taking You"
7. "Will My Lord Be Gardening"
8. "Mystery School Assembly"
9. "Squares"
10. "Meditations On Speed"
11. "Dunes"
12. "356"
13. "Melusina"

Personnel

• Kurt Heasley - guitar, vocals
• Steven Keller (of HiSoft) - drums, percussion, vocals
• Mickey Walker - bass, vocals
• Gerhardt Koerner (of The Numbers/HiSoft) - guitar, percussion
• Don Devore - guitar
• Mike Musmanno - keyboards