'The Music Lovers unchecked romanticism is as in-line with old Hollywood as it is with influenes like Gainsbour, Morrisssey and Nick Cave, pairing silver-tongued, dour lyrics with sweet pop accompaniment... Another batch of pristine, fastidious pop for the fololorn and incurable'
Under the Radar, Winter 2009
Blender 03/09 3.5/4 stars
"Their
idea of romance is "The Land of the Beautiful Girls", their idea of
movie heroes are the unillustrious Coburn & Robards - but their
idea of heartbreak is nothing that an extra accordion solo can't cure"
(no link yet - will probably be posted in the next week or so)
PopMatters.com:
"That the band can work in such opposing emotions and styles without
ever feeling like they're giving one short shrift speaks highly of
their talent as both musicians and storytellers. Masculine Feminine
is rife with plenty of examples of the same, a roundly solid record of
thoughtful, mature pop that never chokes itself with pensiveness. If
you ever see their name on a cabaret marquee, be sure to stop in."
http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/69233-the-music-lovers-masculine-feminine/
The Aquarian:
A-
"San Francisco's Music Lovers, true to their pretentious name, have a
list of favorite artists that reads like a schizophrenic DJ's setlist
at a gay bar in Paris. It may not make much sense at first glance, but
there's something about it that keeps it in heavy rotation on the radio
station in the back of my head."
http://www.theaquarian.com/aq/2009/01/29/the-music-lovers-masculine-feminine/Frantik Magazine:
3.5/4 stars
"Like a savior from uninspiring pop music comes The Music Lovers
'Masculine Feminine.' With all the ingredients, musings and the pop
sophistication of a great pop band, The Music Lovers hit a high note
with 'Masculine Feminine.'"http://www.frantikmag.com/09/91/cd91j.html#musicSF Bay Guardian: "Both menacing and beautiful at the same time, the lush strings and the precision piano and harpischord on the Music Lovers' new album, Masculine Feminine (Le Grand Magistery), make to a sound that's rich and full enough to make Phil Spector cream his trousers. "
http://www.sfbg.com/blogs/music/2009/01/mash_note_for_music_lovers.htmlBaltimore City Paper:
"the Music Lovers take selected
pages from pop, soul, and rock from the mid-1960s to the late 1970s to
weave together Masculine, Feminine, a 12-song tapestry that entertains
despite the familiarity."
http://www.citypaper.com/music/review.asp?rid=14390
San Francisco Magazine:
B+
"The band's symphonic soundscapes match its tragically romantic lyrics,
wrapping Edwards' murmured vocals in lush strings and bachelor-pad
organ, recalling both Dusty Springfield and Lloyd Cole."http://www.sanfranmag.com/story/snap-judgments-20(our review is half way down the page)
"Both menacing and beautiful at the same time, the lush strings and the precision piano and harpischord on the Music Lovers' new album, Masculine Feminine (Le Grand Magistery), make to a sound that's rich and full enough to make Phil Spector cream his trousers. "http://www.sfbg.com/blogs/music/2009/01/mash_note_for_music_lovers.htmlBaltimore City Paper:
"the Music Lovers take selected
pages from pop, soul, and rock from the mid-1960s to the late 1970s to
weave together Masculine, Feminine, a 12-song tapestry that entertains
despite the familiarity."
http://www.citypaper.com/music/review.asp?rid=14390