Review 5: The Last Dinner Party - Prelude to Ecstasy

#32 The Last Dinner Party - Prelude to Ecstasy

Youtube album link

As with most of the artists on this review list, I know nothing about this band (it is a band I believe - and that's a bit rare these days), and it seems they're all female - which is great! Apparently this is their debut album, also great! Here's what Billboard had to say:

"Prepare to be seated and mesmerized as British alt-rockers The Last Dinner Party serves up a debut album that leaves no crumbs behind. Making good on the potential of 2023 breakout hit “Nothing Matters,” Prelude to Ecstasy is a sumptuous 12-track feast, led by singer Abigail Morris’ entrancing voice and filled out by the band’s churning grooves. Don’t worry about leaving room for dessert — there’s nothing too sweet here — but you’ll leave plenty fed just the same."

British alt-rock. Ok I'm all in! Let's go

1. Prelude to Ecstasy

Starts out like a score to a movie scene - strings, horns, theatrical arrangement with flutes, bells, harp. This is an instrumental that seems out of place even for the first song.

2. Burn Alive

Dramatic - Prelude to Ecstasy seems to set this song up. Keys, bass, drums, vocals, clean guitar. Changes in the rhythmic timing is interesting. This reminds me of Kate Bush but with more production.

3. Caesar on a TV Screen

Leslie guitar & vocals. Nice harmonies. Change in tempo is interesting. Change in time signature from 4/4 to 6/8 in the chorus, then back to 4/4. The song seems like it's cut into three parts, the first in double time, then a groove, then waltz 6/8.

4. The Feminine Urge

Starts out with a 70's feel. Again Kate Bush tickles the brain here. Decent singing here - nice range from Morris's singing here.

5. On Your Side

Delicate piano. Better use of space in this song. Better use instrumentation. Multiple guitars in either ear widens out this mix better than the prior songs. Drums/Bass and vocals take center stage as in the other songs so far. Guitars and synth fill in the gaps, this song has a dream pop genre feel to it. Best song so far.

6. Beautiful Boy

Opens with piano and flute. Slow, playing with dissonant notes within the chords. Ballad. Mellow.

7. Gjuha

Starts with a middle eastern flavor - Hindi lyrics?

8. Sinner

The prior song rolls right into Sinner. The most Kate Bush sounding song so far. This one has a bit of a groove going on. The most energetic song on the album so far. This one has a bit of a guitar lick in it.

9. My Lady of Mercy

Starts off double time. Changes tempo and feel in the chorus, then a break. Back into the double time.

10. Portrait of a Dead Girl

Delicate piano is back. Ballad. Strings / synth accompaniment.

11. Nothing Matters

This is a 2022 single. Organ/vocals, harp and leslie guitar. Chorus kick in is good. Hand clap accents. There's some soul/feeling in this song. Caveman drums - love that addition. Guitar solo - how refreshing! The mix feels different - more interesting. Strong chorus.

12. Mirror

Kettle drums, strings. Ballad again. Plodding.

Overall view: First few songs the mix is a bit flat. Most songs don't really stand out. The style is alt-rock but on the mellow side, about 70% Kate Bush and 30% the Smiths. I'm having a bit of an issue with the genre use by Billboard on this group, since this sounds more dream pop but from a British band. It's slow, it's plodding, but to me just doesn't connect - the sounds and melodies are fully realized but it's bland. If Lord Huron was less inventive and female and from the UK - perhaps it would be a good comparison? Generally I'm leaving this album underwhelmed. This is background music while vacuuming. All empty calories, no nutrition. There's very little here to be excited about.

On the positive side, the songs do incorporate some progressive elements, changing tempo's, changing time signatures which to me are interesting bits in music, to keep the ear fresh and not get bored. The vocals are steeped in cathedral reverb and harmonies which can get tiring though work for this music style. Stand out songs are the single "Nothing Matters" and "On Your Side". I think there's lots of potential. Morris's vocals are excellent, the harmonies were great, the melody while very similar and consistent throughout the album didn't transport me to where I think The Last Dinner Party wanted me to go. Unfortunately I have to give this album a "meh" or as the kids say today "mid".