SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE DEARS – LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL! LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL! LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL!

THE DEARS
LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL! LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL! LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL!
NEXT DOOR RECORDS

In contrast to Lovers Rock, the last release in 2020 from Montreal’s The Dears, which was shrouded in doom, newly minted LP Life is Beautiful! Life is Beautiful! Life is Beautiful! lives up to it’s name. It encapsulates a resounding shift in sound and self-reflective, introspective lyrics with an appreciation for life and a look at the future with optimism.

Life is Beautiful! Life is Beautiful! Life is Beautiful! continues the orchestral indie pop rock sound that The Dears are known for, with perhaps an increasingly mellowing growth which must be expected for a band which was established in 1995 by husband-and-wife duo Murray A. Lightburn and Natalia Yanchak.

Launching abruptly with “Gotta Get My Head Right” sets the tone of the album with sweeping guitar, synthesizer and a sonic shift in direction which reminds us that The Dears are not content with standard rock fare. Followed by the album’s first single “Babe, We’ll Find A Way”, where Lightburn’s powerful vocals and falsetto are on full display. Other highlights include the saxophone laden funky rocker “Doom Pays”, “Dead Contacts” with apparent influence from The Stone Roses, and the heavily’80s influenced “Tears Of A Nation”.

Life is Beautiful! Life is Beautiful! Life is Beautiful! can most simply be described as… beautiful. The arrangements are crafted with thoughtful care and with love. This album ranks up there in the top 5 releases from The Dears, which says a lot for a band that has been at it for 30 years.

The Dears will be performing live in support of Life is Beautiful! x3 in the cities listed below.

Tour Dates

November 20th: Montreal, QC
November 27th: Ottawa, ON
November 28th: Toronto, ON
November 29th: Guelph, ON
November 30th: St. Catharines, ON
December 1st: Hamilton, ON
February 10th: Rotterdam, Netherlands
February 12th: Paris, France
February 17th: Birmingham, UK
February 18th: London UK
February 19th: Cambridge, UK
February 20th: Manchester, UK
February 21st: Glasgow, UK
February 22nd: Leeds, UK

Artist Links