Love & Reverie // The Mapping

Posted by Joey

THE SKINNY: Love & Reverie's The Mapping is a strong independent record with some reputable and impressive professionalism. The album is full of great melodies and a palpability confirming the band put their heart and soul into their best release to date.

MYSPACE: http://myspace.com/loveandreverie
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/loveandreverie
MERCH: http://loveandreverie.bigcartel.com

Love & Reverie are an indie rock / pop rock band out of Richmond, Virginia responsible for what I think is a pretty unique sound, for a number of reasons. The band hits you like whiplash. I initially received their most recent LP release, The Mapping, with little enthusiasm until I found myself creepily searching my iTunes for Love & Reverie. I slowly began to hear the (very deep) value in the record despite it taking some time to grow on me, considering that now the band's epic, intricate guitars and and stealthily and ironically addictive vocal melodies are a staple in my daily music listening ritual.

The Mapping, sadly, was released over a year ago but I didn't want to let it get away. Musically, the album offers a lot of anthem-driven-chorus songs but is not redundant or atypical of what a lot of bands do: write 12 fist pumpers and call it an album. No, here Love & Reverie wrap these sing-alongs (if you would even call them that, considering the broad vision of every song) in a rather complex musical shell. The intricacies of the instrumentals are still approachable enough that fans of Copeland's simplicity won't be frightened away but also sophisticated enough that fans of more progressive indie outfits would appreciate.

The album is raw and dynamic and, unlike most indie rock and pop records, the songwriting here isn't just a band providing a backdrop for a vocalist. There is some subtle interplay between voice and guitar on the record which is cool, considering a band's icon is almost always solely the lead singer. The Most Serene Republic are notorious for this effect, and while Love & Reverie don't quite pull it off the same way, it's obvious they didn't intend to: a lot of the nuance on the record sounds like L&E are starting to blossom as songwriters, musicians, and performers. There are glimpses of beautiful moments showing promise for a follow-up record where the band will inevitably mature and trim the fat.

On another note, vocalist Noah Skelton doesn't always sound comfortable on The Mapping, usually during slower, less abrasive sections but always sounds right at home when the band gets huge and loud. It's only at these moments of skepticism that L&E pull a rabbit out of their hat and do something really sick. So, for me, it's only a matter of progress for Love & Reverie. The Mapping is an incredibly strong independent release and deserves many kudos for a DIY group of this caliber. The band has their work cut out for them, and their already loyal fanbase should embrace any improved and polished direction taken as they become more professional and successful music makers.

"Perfect Picture" off of The Mapping

FAVORITE TRACK: "Perfect Picture", "Foot Steps"
FOR FANS OF: old Copeland