The Review - The Lumineers - Cleopatra
It’s been four years since The Lumineers seemingly appeared out of no-where and took over radio. This is the same band that played Vancouver’s Vogue theatre in 2012 but was then moved to the much roomier Deer Lake Park the following visit and will play that same park on June 1st.
On 'Cleopatra' the formula remains the same as what they laid out in their self-titled debut. Write beautiful catchy songs backed by a painful theme. The first single ‘Ophelia’, “is a vague reference to people falling in love with fame. That spotlight can seem like an endless buffet, but in reality, you’re just shiny, bright, and new to people for a quick moment-and then you have the rest of your life to live “ according to singer Wesley Schultz. It’s an immediately catchy song with the kind of sing-along infectious chorus The Lumineers have dominated speakers with.
The album bounces along at a good pace with a strong three-song opener that includes the fantastic ‘Sleep on the Floor’ and culminates with the album title namesake ‘Cleopatra’. The story telling and themes dealt with in the lyrics on this album beg for further listening. Sadness has never been shied from by The Lumineers. Case in point; listen as Schultz’s voice cracks and strains as he sings about a hospital stay during ‘Long Way From Home’.
I’m still not sure why in a streaming dominated world, artists need to release a ‘Deluxe’ version in addition to a regular album version but it is once again the case here. The three extra songs (and acoustic version of Cleopatra) are actually my favourite three songs of the entire album! ‘Where the Skies Are Blue’, ‘Everyone Requires A Plan’ and ‘White Lie’ is a brilliant run of three songs (much like the opening three) to close this album out. ‘White Lie’ is an absolute stand-out and might be one of the best tracks form The Lumineers camp… so far.
Essential tracks: Ophelia, Sleep on the Floor, Cleopatra, Where the Skies Are Blue, Everyone Requires A Plan and White Lie
Track Listing
1. "Sleep On The Floor" 2. "Ophelia" 3. "Cleopatra" 4. "Gun Song" 5. "Angela" 6. "In The Light" 7. "Gale Song" 8. "Long Way From Home" 9. "Sick In The Head" 10. "My Eyes" 11. "Patience"
The Lumineers - Ophelia