Photo by Joe Dilworth
Liars
Front man Angus Andrew promises to never serve the same dish twice for fans’ patience with the trio’s fourth release
By Alexa Weibel
Published: September 24th, 2007 | 2:46pm
Charismatic Liars frontman Angus Andrew describes Liars as “a celebration of songs, an album of influences,” and “our teenage daydream.” Seemingly apocryphal talk, but the Liars haven't veered off course yet. From the release of their debut 2001 LP, They Threw Us All in a Trench and Stuck a Monument on Top, to their newest self-titled album (released in August 2007), Andrew has been vocal about avoiding pigeonholing.
No band wants to be pegged as stagnant, but few go to the lengths the Liars do to transform its sound with virtually every release. This approach may be a gamble in terms of popularity — their releases have covered everything from dance-punk to tamer, arena-friendly rock — but their ambition guarantees respect for sheer aspiration.
“We purposefully forgot formulas that worked before and looked for ways to reinvent them,” Andrew says via phone while on tour in Europe. He admits that he and guitarist Aaron Hemphill began writing the album without talk of a grand approach. “We wanted to make a record that didn’t rely on a concept — a direct and honest album made up of songs that could speak for themselves. We also wanted it to be immediate and from the gut: nothing too ethereal, nothing too clever.”
To do so, Andrew, Hemphill, and drummer Julian Gross made a point of listening to the music of their youth — from Prince and Michael Jackson to the Cure and the Smiths. Their progression from the first two to the latter two is equal in magnitude of the transformation from previous albums to their current self-titled record. It’s a logical step that’s in line with adolescent discovery of new genres.
Using ample string reverb to achieve what Andrew calls “a shimmering tone,” they also “drenched the instruments and vocals to make songs sound almost like they’re underwater or under a waterfall.” The result is a sense of immediacy on Liars : angular, eccentric riffs and shouted vocals prevailing. Yet, it’s still characteristically gritty — not risky — in sound, except in the sense that it strays from the bands’ projected path. Liars is what you would imagine the Liars to fill stadiums with, as the band abandons a less cacophonous din for more straightforward rock.
Andrew describes their new release as somewhat of an homage or just with clearer reference points. “It feels good to let people know we appreciate Led Zeppelin and Guns N’ Roses as much as any kind of high art or music,” he says. He also credits Suicide and Sonic Youth for teaching him, “that you didn’t necessarily need to be a musician to make relevant musical statements.”
In September 2007, Liars will tour the U.S. with Interpol. Andrew says Liars have always been big fans and listening to Interpol’s music makes them feel like teenagers. Catching Liars in local amphitheaters and large concert halls will require some adjustment by fans, who may be used to more intimate shows in smaller venues, but the band is confident with their recent artistic and musical decisions and how their new album will be received. “I’m pretty sure that the people who appreciate our music are supportive of the changes we make in approach and intent,” Andrew says. “After all, they change, so why shouldn't we?”
He also feels as though Liars’ fans have endured a lot from the band. “It's been quite the testing string of records,” he says. “This new album is almost like a treat after the journey.”
Issue #35
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