The Lost Patrol started up as Dennis Lyxzen's solo project with the help of his close friends. Unlike the innovative post-hardcore act Refused and 60's throwback retro-punk outfit The (International) Noise Conspiracy, The Lost Patrol is less aggressive and makes use of layers of melody and acoustic guitars. Lyxzen's solo debut under the moniker was Songs of Key Resistance, which was filled with heartfelt songs that still held the strong political beliefs found in his other projects. In early 2004 Lyxzen took his project to another level with Songs About Running Away. The songs were unique combinations of classic pop, soul, and folk that tied in his personal experiences in life all while carrying the energy of his other acts. Burning Heart Records brings us his latest release, The Lost Patrol Band which shows to be more of a group effort with six of his friends including ex-Refused member David Sandstrom contributing.
Just as Songs of Key Resistance and Songs About Running Away had their own style, so does The Lost Patrol's newest offering, taking influence from bands in late 70's and early 80's pop-punk movement like the Ramones and Buzzcocks. Lyxzen's likes to call it "power-pop." You would think that'd be pretty cool with the style and creativity Lyxzen has been bringing to the table for years, but nothing really struck me as exciting about The Lost Patrol Band. I once thought anything with Lyxzen would be good, but this album unfortunately proves me wrong. It's not a strong effort as there is only one really good song on the album and the others just so-so. I just don't hear those catchy riffs or hooks that were in their previous releases.
"Golden Times" is really a good song, I wish there was more songs like this on here. It's got a great melody and chorus; the vocals are even stronger from the rest of the songs. Thought it's only about 2 minutes long, you'll listen to it probably ten times in a row. This song just can't carry the weight of the rest of the album. The verses all tend to be pretty good but always seem fold when it comes to the chorus. Most of the melodies remind me of those 80's bands that wrote songs structured around cheesy choruses and all their songs just ended up being flops.
These songs could be so much better and I think you'll agree when you hear it. You sit there and think; "Why are they doing that?" and "Why didn't they do this instead?" I think I could've written better melodies for this album. "Hanging On" starts off rad, has a shitty chorus and a sweet interlude of a surfy guitar that you might hear in The (International) Noise Conspiracy. Maybe he just didn't choose the right people to help him out with this one or he forgot how to write songs. I doubt that is the case but something went wrong.
I wish I could say if you like Refused and The (International) Noise Conspiracy you will like this, but I can't. This album just doesn't have the effort that was put into the last two. There are a couple descent songs on the album, but really only one that you'll want to listen to more than once. If this record is as disappointing to you as it was to me, pull out The Shape of Punk to Come, because I'm sure it'll reassure you that better things to come things are to come from Lyxzen.
