There's something inherently weird about hearing a guy, who for the past 6 years of my life has done nothing but recite some of the most biting political rhetoric ever put to music, make an album about his feelings.

Let me clarify - this disc is Dennis Lyxzén, frontman of hardcore legends Refused and rock revolutionaries The [International] Noise Conspiracy, singing about his feelings. Not about capitialism or foriegn policy. About girls and stuff.

Yeah, I know.

But what's even more unusual is that Lyxzén makes the transition rather smoothly, something I didn't expect at all. His voice, known for it's dynamic power, takes on an almost childlike frailty for a majority of the album. The album has a very confessionalized feel to it, like Lyxzén is putting his real self out in the open, for all to gaze upon and react how they deem appropriate.

The album's lyrics mirror the soulful qualities of Lyxzén's voice, allowing him to truly reveal himself through these words, words that have probably been hidden in journals for years. The music the band creates is heavily R & B influenced, with an indie-pop sheen applied to it. Tracks like "Desperate Attempts" conjur up images of Nick Cave, while conversely the bouncy romp of "Alright" make me think Motown. The eclectic instrumentation of the disc makes it all the more interesting to listen to - you never seem to know when a clarinet, flute, or saxophone could pop up and deliver a jazzy, haunting countermelody.

With the Lost Patrol, Dennis Lyxzén has completed his grasp on rock and roll; he's touched all the bases admirably, and knows what he's doing. While I don't think this record will be getting more spins than The Shape Of Punk To Come, it is nice knowing that there's a softer side to Lyxzén, and that he's willing to let us enjoy it.

MP3s
No New Manifesto
Left And Leaving Blues