SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: LA SERA – MUSIC FOR LISTENING TO MUSIC TO

La Sera
Music For Listening To Music To
Polyvinyl Records

The influence of producer Ryan Adams is apparent in La Sera’s Music For Listening to Music To‘s thoughtful arrangement of the tracks, and somewhat alt-folk-country sound.

The first single, “High Notes” shows a change from what La Sera fans are accustomed. This most recent release is more playful and light, departing from the punk feel of the group’s earleir material. La Sera is no longer just Katy Goodman; here she is joined on three tracks (“One True Love,” the bluesy “I Need an Angel,” and “Nineties”) by bass guitarist and husband Todd Wisenbaker. The pair’s chemistry is heard and felt on these cuts.

Music For Listening to Music To, while simpler, demonstrates that La Sera is growing up. The tracks are slower and more purposeful, and the production aesthetic is sparer and fully analog. This approach places more focus upon Goodman’s voice. What remains from before is the Goodman’s charming and charismatic personality each time she sings. Contrasted against her spouse’s lower vocal register, at times Goodman’s voice sounds ethereal as she brings out the hopeless romantic within.

This album lends itself to a start-to-finish listen. The overwhelming feel is one of struggle, happiness and uneasiness – all the feelings humans experience through loving relationships. While catchy, the album also works as background music, something to play while taking a walk, or doing light work. That may not have been La Sera’s goal in making this album, but at the same time, Music For Listening to Music To is unique and worthy of full attention, simply because of the feelings the sounds and lyrics evoke.

“Time To Go” is more reminiscent of Goodman’s sound on earlier discs. The track is reminiscent of Vivian Girls; it’s more fast-paced and thus a bit out of sorts from the rest of Music For Listening to Music To.

Does Music For Listening to Music To signify La Sera moving away for good from the punk sound? Listeners will have to wait for another record to listen to, to know for sure.

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