Weight of the World by LEMON Has a Bit of Something for Everyone

LEMON is a New York based duo made up of vocalist-lyricist Roger Smith and the multitalented instrumentalist Thor Madsen. Drawing from what could be described as varying blueprints from the musical past, this pair has created a new form of music that is both a pleasant sound for the ear and a nice energy boost for the body. When listening to the album Weight of the World, released in 2003, it was hard to keep my toes from tapping.

The album starts off with "Smile in Your Eyes", a song that opens with a funky beat and smooth vocals that lace around lyrics like "Don't lost the smile in your eyes/ Try as you might, it's the light that you just can't hide." As the song goes on, it takes on an almost dance-hall pop feel that makes you want to jump up and dance on the spot. One may expect a similar sound to follow on track two, but that listener will be in for a surprise when "Weight of the World" begins. This track takes the listener instantly back to a better time in R&B; its almost Motown sound puts a smile on the face and a tap in the toe. The vocals are strong yet subtle. Violins enter lightly in the background for this track, enhancing the sound quite pleasantly. The song feels strangely out of its time, yet in a way that almost makes you wish those "old days" were back again . . . even if you're not quite old enough to know about them!

Track three, titled "Daydreams", provides a great sound for a drive or just relaxing. This track has a similar techno-pop feel with track one, but with traces of world music sounds. Already, the wide range of the artists' capabilities in regards to music are quite evident. The pleasant vocals tantalize the ear, making it suitable for both background music and as the song you might crank up to maximum volume; the music, like the vocals, gives a sense of flexibility to suite your mood. This track is followed by "Hurt Inside", a song that begins with a bit of an edge that runs through the remainder of the song like its heartbeat. Again, this song takes on an almost completely different tone than those before or after it, creating the feeling that the artists are keenly aware that the varying moods of their audience are as numerous as the moods in their songs.

Beginning with an almost acoustic rhythm, "Landslide" quickly transforms into a funky, soulful beat. The vocals, as always, are smooth and satisfying to the ear, particularly for a track with lyrics like "How many rainbows in black and white? / Is the sign before the landslide?" The imagery captured by the lyrics of this song is particularly beautiful. This song is nicely complimented by track six, titled "Old Man". The soulful sound of the vocals do not disappoint on this track. "Old man," starts the track, "what can you tell me/ After all this time about rhythm and the rhyme?" A bit of Motown creeps back in with this track, which is laced with the feel of a single from the 1990's. The duo's music clearly spans many generations of sound in a way that is both respectful of and somewhat beyond the music of times passed.

If the titled "Nobody Lives Forever" seems almost reminiscent of the best Bond themes, the listener is in for a pleasant audio-experience. The sound of this song puts on in the mind of those classic films. Lyrics like "Let's walk with destiny" linger in the mind as the song builds in its intensity. Once again the sound of the album has evolved, moving from the classical sounds of Motown and R&B to something that belongs on the soundtrack of any 007-or any other spy of that grain-movie.

The album ends with two tracks-"My Baby Says" and "You've Got a Way"-with an almost Chill-Jazz feel, once again revealing the musical dexterity of the artists. "My Baby Says" has lyrics that are both thought provoking and moving, speaking of a relationship that is clearly ending with a reminiscence that is touching. The opening lyrics-"Take a picture / And keep it as a souvenir / Make it a memory, 'cause I don't see us coming back again"-instantly set the tone for the song's sad story. "You've Got a Way", with opening lyrics "You've got a way of saying goodbye/ You make me feel crazy, you make me want to die," likewise sets a mellow tone unlike earlier songs on the album. The album's final track, "Too Late", ends the album with a mellow but thought-provoking song about the judgement of others and learning to be yourself, a perfect ending to a wonderful album.

As a whole, this album is an excellent introduction to the clever and innovative sound of LEMON. With sounds channeling many different genres and eras of music, the album has a bit of something for everyone. Weight of the World is available for purchase from iTunes or CD Baby. Their latest album is due out this Spring.