Review: "Off Days" Album by Lady Legs
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Birmingham based band Lady Legs embrace a sun-drenched garage rock on the joyous jangle of their latest album “Off Days”. These are woozy, wild and wonderful journeys that delight in unexpected ways. Everything here has a dreamy aura behind it for they radiate such warmth and good cheer.
Beyond the gentle, Lady Legs know how to let loose with a wild-eyed animalistic fervor. Vocals have such tenderness about them for every verse is delivered for maximum impact. Interplay within the group has a fantastic quality to it, like a bunch of friends who have played together for years and know each other’s quirks.
Parallels to their work include the painfully short-lived Texas group Harlem in terms of their similar “go for broke” emphasis. Lady Legs race on through much of the sound, letting the beats flirt with the breaking point. On the kinder, laid-back tracs, they conjure up imagery of Mac DeMarco’s “Salad Days/Old Dog” period for there is a beauty to the way they bring color into the fray in rather delicate ways. Every track builds off the last and Lady Legs pay close attention to sequencing, making the album a gorgeous trip.
A neat little backwards effect introduces the album with gusto on the commanding presence of “Quit Bringing Me Down” which opens things on a high note. Doubling down on the speed is the Car Seat Headrest chaos of “City Slickers”. The funky fresh feeling of “Run with the Fade” is a pure piece of bliss. Grooves have a taut quality to them on “Not Right” as they let the energy bubble over.
Fuzzed-out guitars give “Idle Hands” a strange rural psychedelic mood, as they have a carefree attitude. Riffs intertwine on the thoughtful reflection of the title track “Off Days” where they tap into a pastoral beauty. By far the highlight emerges on “Thank You”. Part surf rock, part jazz, part indie pop, but all haze, there is a delightful atmosphere that runs through it. Effortlessly closing the album out is the sprawling ambitious “Slippin”.
“Off Days” shows off Lady Legs deft skill in crafting a universe full of playfulness, with infectious riffs and giddy lyricism.