Press
What the media have to say...
'Axiom'
'The Lovetones have crafted an aesthetically pleasing collection of songs on AXIOM that radiate an essential ingredient of psychadelic music - to transport listeners to a better place.'
(Canberra Times)
Axiom was ‘Indie Album of the Week’ in Brag. Download the review here.
"Matthew Tow remains a master of the pop song. The Lovetones are criminally under-appreciated in Australia - for once, you can be sure the Americans are smarter than us on this one. Axiom is unlikely to redress completely that criminality, but it should help."
(Patrick Emery, Beat Magazine, August 2007)
"Almost psychadelic pop, leaning towards a drugged out '60s flashback, emanates from this CD. I feel like time traveling, but I get lost in the music and end up staying right here. The songs pulse and resonate with sonic ache and mellow sighs that break like ocean waves across your body. It feels so good, it feels so sad, it feels like longing transforming into love and then losing it all again... Psychadelic right now, like Mercury Rev meets Brian Wilson and they play a game of catch with your dreams. The songs just fit together, and the choruses are catchy without being contrived, the verses stick and sink into you, and the instruments all seem to know your name." (Marcel Feldmar, theredalert.com)
"For those of you that relish the 60s but don't want the poor production, give The Lovetones a listen as everything is there. From mild-psychadelia, to jangling Byrds like influences with the insightful writings of the likes of Roy Davies, great harmonies and superb tunes, this is a band that has it made. No one can emulate them and they don't emulate anyone, this is pure musicianship at its best and will drag you in ever so subtly but ever so quickly."
(Tony Bates, Highlands FM)
"Matthew Tow delivers just the right amount of raw, melodic and somewhat angelic vocals alongside a mixture of guitars, flute, piano and melotrone throughout. Perfect for a quiet evening with yourself after a week of work dramas. Break open a bottle of Merlot and press play." (Jenna Thompson, Drum Media, August 2007)“Axiom overflows with meticulous arrangements full of jangly seventh chords, piano countermelodies and melodic bass lines that elevate the song structures. The Lovetones might know all the tricks of the ‘60s psychedelia, but the end result sounds current instead of psych-by-numbers.”
(Harp Magazine, USA)
"Axiom proves it is a universal truth that The Lovetones create blissful psychadelic pop songs. This album is not as short and simplistic as their debut Be What You Want, but not as stretched out as Meditations. The band has found a wonderful balance in their maturity. The opening cut, 'Navigator' is instantly gratifying, while other standouts include 'Pieces Of Me', 'Say You Will', 'Everybody Hides Away' and 'Wintertime In Hollywood'. The Lovetones continue to satisfy listeners around the globe."
(Todd Jones, www.thetripwire.com)
'Meditations'
"There’s something so exciting about this album. Not only does it leave you wishing you had a groovy underground den filled with bean bags, bead curtains and burning jost sticks, it offers just the right amount of escapism to delicately numb the senses. Dripping with psychedelic pop, Meditations is peppered with devilishly good backward playing of records, sitar chords that strike a brilliant divide between exotic inclusion, tart sounds and dreamy lyrics that make it difficult not to form an attachment. Like the days of 60s pop gods sitting in lush gardens with their spiritual gurus expanding their minds over a cup of chai, Meditations is a modern day yearning for the good old days."
(Elevenmagazine.com)
"The Lovetones' frontman Matthew J Tow is best known for his work with the Brian Jonestown Massacre: he played guitar on the road with them for three years and contributed two songs to their 2003 album ...And This Is Our Music. There are obvious similarities between the bands, but it's John Lennon rather than the former Stones guitarist that is the main influence here. However, this is no mere Beatles trip: the folky strum of "Inside A Dream" suggests the more pastoral moments of The Pretty Things' SF Sorrow, while epic standout cut "Pictures" recalls The Soundtrack Of Our Lives."
(Uncut)
"On Meditations, Matthew Tow delivers some of his finest songwriting moments yet."
(Time Off)
The Lovetones, who carry an air of sophistication and class with them wherever they go, concentrated on rousing everyone into a fluster before slowing things down with an otherworldly jam to close their set. More than throwing riffs and disco-beats in your face, The Lovetones mould their music to the shape of your feet, your hips and your soul - theirs is a sound that dares you to stand still, slowly infiltrating all facets of your body until you just have to break out and dance.
(Drum Media - Essential Festival Live Review)
It's hard to believe this is only the second album for The Lovetones, as it's balance between control and caprice represents a feat even The Beatles only accomplished at the latter-end of their career.
(Tsunami Magazine)
Matthew Tow's song-writing abilities remain one of this country's most under appreciated musical assets.
(Beat Magazine)
"The Lovetones blend the Kinks, Byrds, and Arthur Lee, with just a splash of VU to bring the psychedelic. They're the antipodal equivalent of the Brian Jonestown Massacre, which makes total sense as the two have toured together."
(Austin Chronicle)
"What's so beautiful about Meditations is the sense that each track has been so tenderly crafted and thoroughly mapped out, so that even when the Lovetones psych-out into jam mode (which they do so delightfully, several times), the path back to their radiant sixties pop is always sufficiently illuminated."
(Drum Media)
"These are beautiful songs with infectious hooks, gorgeous melodies and a porduction sound straight out of the '60s. This is an album of classics Beatles and Bowie fans will adore."
(Kathy McCabe, The Daily Telegraph, 3.5 Stars)
"Catchy, addictive, with some attractive lead and clever production."
(Brag)
“Although it seems that Tow’s relationship with cult musician Newcombe has not yet ended in tears, the ongoing quality of the music of The Lovetones ensures there’s little need for Matt to slink back to playing second fiddle to his BJM headkicker pal.”
(Rip It Up)
“A trip from start to finish, Meditations is further proof that songwriters don't lose their ability because they don't have major record deals; in some ways, it can strengthen their resolve to deliver the goods when the opportunity finally arises.”
(Rolling Stone)
"This is one of the revelations for this year. Providing the charming and psychedelic edges that 60s pop brought to the world, The Lovetones give hints of all those great times with numerous flavours in “Meditations”. There are many ingredients of the type of pop music we all loved before that has been modernised into a listenable feast. Laced with a classical pop structure of piano, subtle guitars, and delicate, melodic vocals, this is a compelling statement from an Australian band, which has romanticised today’s sounds. Hopefully, the music lovers will not view The Lovetones as nostalgic freaks, paying homage to past glories, but of a band, having spent a few years defining their structure, capable of progressing into their own future from past influences."
(Mediasearch.com.au)
“Meditations is The Lovetones’ first significant release since the critically acclaimed Be What You Want, and it deserves equal acclaim, traversing the spectrum of psychedelia without missing a beat. The first two tracks of the album are near perfect psych-pop tunes. If ever there was an album that goes beyond overpriced designer paisley shirts and 15 minute rambling blatant Doors rip-offs and finds the true musical spirit of the 1960s, it’s Meditations.”
(Beat Magazine)
“Where less talented musicians might stumble in their tributes, Tow & Co. excel with pleasant melodies and simple, yet effective lyrics.”
(Smug Mag, USA)
“These Aussies, led by singer-songwriter Matthew Tow, colour their evocative pop rock in umber tones. Songs like "Mantra" deliver winsome hooks swaddled in vocals as dark and rich as the finest chocolate. One title asks, "Was I There in Your Future?" Based on this retro-but-right disc, the answer should be "Hope so."
(West Word, USA)
“Judging Meditations from a respectful distance is easy to come to the conclusion that The Lovetones is a band that must not go unnoticed.”
(The Music Edge)
'Mantra'
"In tune with the popular sounds of UK-influenced indie rock at the moment thanks to the likes of Youth Group, we are introuduced to the first taste of The Lovetones, Mantra. Taken from their forthcoming album, Meditations, it starts with a slow hum then builds into a brilliant piece of guitar-based pop bliss, full of melody and sweet, easy to listen lyrics that are instantly relatable to all walks of life. Alternative stations have already picked up Mantra on rotational airplay but, given the chance, it has the potential to be a quiet achiever across multi-formats. Spread the love with The Lovetones!"
(The Music Network)
"The Lovetones' new track is fantastic!! Absolutely love it!"
(Eleven Mag).
'Be What You Want'
"Noel Gallagher could do a lot worse than to listen and learn."
(Rolling Stone)
"Former Drop City frontman Matt Tow emerges with a new outfit and sensational new album. It opens with foot-thumper The Sound And The Fury, while the next track reminds you of Oasis in their heyday. Tow is adept at slow-burners and power pop, as evidenced by It's Always Been That Way and Fairweather."
(4 star review, The Sunday Telegraph)
"It's better than anything Oasis have flung at their adoring public. Heads down AND thumps up!"
(JB Hi-Fi)
"catchy Britpop tunes, many steeped in 1960's psychadelica, it tastes good."
(The Weekend Australian)
"The best Australian band you haven't heard of yet. This punchy debut will be blasting from a radio speaker near you soon. It leaves you hungry for more."
(Courier Mail)
"Be What You Want caters to hippies, young moderns and any girl who has ever done the bum dance to a horn chart. So basically everyone. However, this album is specifically designed for acid-soaked, electric folk fetishists."
(Album of the week - Beat Magazine)
"There's a sincerity in their purist approach that's hard to resist."
(Who Weekly)
"Make it your summer soundtrack today."
(Time-off)
"Guided by brilliant production, Be What You Want, is a pop-rock classic. Distinguished by golden melodies and a subject matter that is emotionally direct and largely autobiographical, the Lovetones are reviving the true essence of psychadelic pop."
(Rolling Stone)
"a sensational pop record, a beautiful collection of concise, powerful songs."
(Inpress Mag)
"The Lovetones have produced one of the best Australian albums so far this year,"
(Barfly)
"a rich collage of dynamic rock, heady harmonies and snarling sixties soul, and another interesting piece in the evoloving jig-saw that is Matthew J.Tow."
(Filmink)
"an album brimming with hooks, exceptional."
(Rip It Up)
'Give It All I Can'
"An anthemic, colourfully rolling rocker. It's damn good, too."
(Beat Magazine)
'Be What You Want' (Single)
Classic Britpop, straight outta Sydney. In an ideal world, Matt Tow should have boldly walked Carnaby Street a few decades back, decked out in paisley and waxing lyrical with the 1960’s popmasters. That way he would have been a peer of Ray Davies, Lennon & McCartney and David Bowie rather than a born-too-late admirer. You see, these are the icons he considers touchstones, both now with The Lovetones and in his past life with Drop City (who cut three high-grade albums during the ‘90’s). He’s a Britpop classicist trapped in a Sydneysider’s body. And Tow’s big pop heart beats loudly throughout the first-rate 'Be What You Want', especially in such tracks as the lead-off single, ‘Give It All I Can’, and the string-sodden ‘Be What You Want’. ‘Guiding Star’ meanwhile, heads into alysergic headspace that even Syd Barrett might have found a little too heavy. Noel Gallagher could do a lot worse that to listen and learn.
Jeff Apter, Rolling Stone, August 2002 (Four Stars Review) |
