Demos

Lilies On Mars - Lilies On Mars

Owain Paciuszko 24/03/2009

Rating: 3/5

Instantly with its Italian narration provided by award winning actress Donatella Finocchiaro and strange choral instrumentation there's something both unique and eerie about this debut album from duo Lisa Dply Masia and Marina Cristofalo. It's no surprise to then discover that they've collaborated on projects for the likes of experimental artists and David Lynch.

But this record is not as impenetrable as some avant-garde albums may be, the experimentation is mixed with a good psychedelic rock sensibility that is heralded on the guitar driven Passing By. It's an almost grungey track that feels like a Garbage track being remixed by Aphex Twin. Current single My Liver Hurts captures the fairytale sinister vibe that snuck in and out on Radiohead's Hail to the Thief.

Things fall into the gratutitous Portishead camp with Insane, but they seem to be asking for it by using a trip-hop drumline and theremin! There are further Radiohead-like moments too on tracks such as Electric Fits (the rolling vocals seem to homage A Wolf At The Door).

This is an erratic and accessible record from a pair unafraid to dabble in a range of genres and throw all manner of ideas at the wall to see what sticks. It's not as mind-blowingly experimental to warrant mass hysteria, but it's a curious and appealing little album that will hopefully give Lilies On Mars a push into stranger territories.