Picture Of Our Youth by David’s Lyre (Album)

David’s Lyre is the product of too many glasses of wine shared between Bombay Bicycle Club and early 80s pop

Opener English Roses gives a fine indication of what’s to come. It’s as if the Human League were trapped in a room filled with guitars, snapped into a tremolo setting, and made to write an electro song on that basis. Oddly the vocals are reminiscent not only of Neil Tennant but also Michael Bublé – and before you wince and wrench the skin from your cheeks in dismay, it’s actually a fine combination. It’s soulful, composed and replete with whimsical melancholy. If this sets the tone for the revivalist side of David’s Lyre then This Time demonstrates precisely the modern influences that exist within Picture Of Our Youth. Close your eyes, place your hands over the mouths of all external noise and it’s as if you’re within the first Bombay Bicycle Club album. The influence of those young titans is no surprise, for band leader Jack Steadman remixed David’s Lyre’s 2011 release In Arms. It’s a wonderful slice of indie, whose taste is so sweet that Mr Kippling would beg to have its recipe. Further highlights include The Fall, which links elements of Nathan Fake’s minimal tech majesty with the electro of Oakley and co, and the twinkling Piano Song.

Though I’d be a Lyre if I were to say that this album was perfect, it’s a fine collection of songs, which makes it a shame that this will be the final offering from Dixon as David’s Lyre. But, fear not, Dixon will be continuing to write music. Let’s hope that his next project builds on the promise of Picture Of Our Youth.

Verdict: A fine mixture of the early ’80s synth pop and bittersweet indie

Buy Picture Of Our Youth now from davidslyre.bandcamp.com

Damien Girling

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.