The Weightlifters - Last Of The Sunday Drivers

by Lisa Holmes

Anger management indie style

"Each track radiates a relaxed surety, and because of that each track feels familiar."

This is a great example of American pop at its sunsoaked, laidback best. Think of a smiling Elliot Smith jamming with The Shins. The Weightlifters are actually only one man Adam McLaughlin, a former guitarist in the 90s indie band Idle Wilds. This is his first EP of solo work recorded in his own purpose built studio.

Each track radiates a relaxed surety, and because of that each track feels familiar, 'Oblivion Shines' could have been written for a quirky coming of age movie like Garden State or Good Will Hunting, it is a song that says ‘everything will be good with the world’.

Consequently this isn’t an EP that you should listen to if your feeling ‘ok’, it will probably lead to you feeling so relaxed as to be horizontal, alternatively if you are irrationally angry it may just bring you back to an even keel. ‘Low’ is one of the EP highlights, but it is also one of the most obviously influenced tracks with its dancing melody and guitar/keys harmonies. This is a clear Beatles homage, but surprisingly this isn’t a minus point.

‘Last Of The Sunday Drivers’ isn’t a title designed to set the world on fire, calling to mind middle-aged commuters causing five mile tailbacks on the A240 because they’re too scared to overtake in their Volvo. However, may be McLaughlin is referring to a drive just for the heck of it, no destination planned, a meander along country lanes that we should all indulge in once in a while.

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