Libraries

Stuart McLamb recorded the Love Language's self-titled 2009 debut low-fi style out of necessity. Its follow-up sinks in sonic hugeness. The opener "Pedals" sets the tone — a grand, sweeping track that struggles under the weight of its wall of sound. Such bigness can serve McLamb's songs — "This Blood Is Our Own," would topple without the expansive arrangement — but mostly the aural decorations are lots of bluster designed to hide skeletal melodies. At times, McLamb sounds like he's having more fun than he did on his band's dour debut, but the full studio might've cost the Love Language some personality. The bulk of Libraries is pretty forgettable and generic. It sounds OK as it's playing, but escapes into the ether the moment it's over.

Chris Drabick is a music critic for Metro Times. Send comments to [email protected].