Album Review: Timelost – Drained (Church Road Records)

Garage and alternative rock band Timelost return with their highly anticipated second full-length album, ‘Drained’, out on February 23rd, 2024, through Church Road Records.

Feeling nostalgic for some 90’s style alternative rock? Timelost have you covered, and you’re either going to get dewy-eyed over this music or bristle with annoyance at its retro vibes.

Here’s the thing, regardless of your interest or attraction to this kind of alt-rock, there can be no denying the fact that Timelost are really good at it. Delivering tracks filled with moody moments of melody, groove, and vitality. All of which, and with just a touch of anthemic drama, is present on the lovable opener of Lockjaw. The slight fuzz that gives it a garage rock feel is an inspired touch too.

It’s an instant hit, but that’s something that can apply to so much of this album as Timelost up the energy a bit and deliver a peppy body shaker with Combustion Dance. It’s here, that listeners might note for all its retro vibes, this isn’t an album that feels dated. The infectiousness of Diet Strangers and Eternal Vibe prove that Timelost are utilising the past, giving it their own take, and delivering something grin-inducing. Hell, it’s fair to say that they’re also doing this kind of music better than most who came from the 90’s alternative period.

Foot-tapping, finger-rapping, hip-shaking, head-nodding… parts of the body will be compelled to move throughout Drained. Even when the garage feel is at its strongest, such as on Everything’s A Beating (Including Yourself). It’s as catchy as everything before it, and everything afterwards, which includes fast-paced punky-infused tracks like Wet J and expansive and unpredictable tracks like Cranium Dent. This, the latter track is surprisingly, nearly 6-mintues long, but Timelost use the time to craft something that has many layers of rock. Sounding both familiar and fresh, getting a little weird in places, and heading off in unique directions that rewards the time investment.

Does anyone else note a Pixies touch with the awesome Lifer Death? They are sure to be a band that has had some influence on Timelost, after all.

Finally, it’s Another Casualty of Me and Permablue. Both tracks offering up varying degrees of moodiness, but in Timelost’s inimitable infectious way. The former is big on passion, and those vocals really soar. Whereas the latter is a boisterous blast of energetic rock that ends things on an emphatic high.

What really impresses with Drained is how it has no skippable tracks at all. The epitome of ‘all killer, no filler’ and a guarantee of a good time for all who give it a go. A blast from the past, it might be, but there’s nothing dated about this record.

Timelost – Drained Track Listing:

1. Lockjaw
2. Combustion Dance
3. Diet Strangers
4. Eternal Vibe
5. Everything’s A Beating (Including Yourself)
6. Wet J
7. Cranium Dent
8. Lifer Death
9. Another Casualty of Me
10. Permablue

Links

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