CD Review: Lake of Tears - Moons and Mushrooms

Wasn't sure what to expect when I first slipped this disk in, as I am completely unfamiliar with the band. Their name, Lake of Tears, would lead me towards a progressive style, while the album name, Moons and Mushrooms, would indicate a dark psychedelia. The cover would lead credence to the darker possibilities with a black, white, and grey cover featuring a field of mushrooms with a man in a spacesuit in the lower corner, and a burst of light emanating from the horizon. It is actually a pretty cool cover, and one that does accurately visualize the music contained within. As for the sound, there are progressive and dark gothic elements, but they are played towards the middle in a hard rock format. It is pretty good, but nothing mind blowing.


Lake of Tears is a Swedish band that has had a somewhat stormy career since releasing their debut album, Greater Art, back in 1994. They actually broke up in 2002 , only to reform in 2003 and head back to the studio. Moons and Mushrooms is the second album since that reunion four years ago. Now, I am unfamiliar with those other albums, but what I have heard on this disk is solid.

There is a definite somber aura to it. It never fully commits to the dark, or the light, preferring to play everything in a slightly off hard rock approach. It succeeds in creating an eminently listenable album that is worth the time it takes to get through. It lasts barely forty minutes, and therefore does not overstay its welcome.

The album opens with "Last Purple Sky," a mid-tempo rocker that blends the rock and goth sensibilities that weave through the rest of the album. It is a good song to groove to, while never really going to the next level. It is followed by the song with the second best title on the album, "You Better Breathe While There's Still Time." It keeps up that mid-tempo rock vibe while expanding it to a bit bigger soundstage. A couple of songs later the tempo is slowed for the sad melancholy of "Like a Leaf," before ratcheting the energy back up with one of my favorite songs, the heavy "Children of the Grey." The closing track is epic gloom and owns the best title on the album, "Planet of the Penguins." That last track is an interesting dirge that sort of floats along, I found it to be hypnotic.

The band is led by David Brennare, who has a pretty interesting voice, that at times sounds like a cross between James Hetfield and The Last Temptation of Alice-era Alice Cooper. Brennare also plays guitar, joining Magnus Sahlgren in creating the gothic rockscapes. Keeping the mood are bassist Mikael Larsson and drummer Johan Ouduis.

Bottomline. Interesting album that gets better upon multiple listens, but fails to elevate beyond the level of good. It does hold your attention and hints at what they are capable of, but doesn't go quite as dark or quite as psychedelic as they could. Still, this is definitely recommended and worth seeking out.

Recommended.