Rating: Yes

Love and Rockets is one of those "do you remember?" '80s outfits that few people actually do remember, because they never had more than the one hit ( "No New Tales to Tell," remember?). But now that goth has come and gone again, it only makes sense that L&R also are back on the scene, along with Bauhaus, the seminal '80s goth band that featured Peter Murphy and L&R frontman Daniel Ash. L&R peaked creatively with "Earth, Sun, Moon," back in the '80s, but continued on in obscurity to this very day. Those who've lost track won't recognize the new, techno-fied version featured on "Lift," but may like it a whole lot better. Dedicated mostly to dance, "Lift" features some interesting techno/ambient touches that never bore, even though some tracks go on well past seven minutes. On the instrumental numbers and the long, sonic interludes, you wouldn't even know it was L&R. But it's Ash's unmistakable voice that brings it all back down to earth. The funky "Holy Fool," is the best pop number of the bunch. However, the plodding, "Pink Flamingo," "Delicious Ocean," and "Ghosts of the Multiple Feature," put a damper on things by slowing the CD to a yawning crawl. Lift's highlights come toward the end of the disc. "My Drug" (clocking in at 8:43) and Deep Deep Down (at 9:19) rely an laid back brushbeats, shimmering guitar, and Ash at his dreamiest. The CD's worth it for these two tracks alone, but weighing it at just under 70 minutes, there's probably something here for any L&R or electronic ambient fan.

-- Tim McMahan

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Copyright © 1999 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.