So Long, in my eyes, is timeless. It is one of those gems you find in life that no one else seems to know about, and it has always baffled me as to why. I have never heard any of the tracks on the radio and it can’t even be found on Itunes. Neither the album nor any of the songs has a page on Wikipedia. As far as the internet is concerned, knowledge of this group and its music is very limited, which is a shame because the album is great. It is, in fact, the only album I have not questioned buying and own in CD form.
The group is named after the lead vocalist, Dustin Louque (pronounced Luke). He is a native of Saint James Parish, Louisiana. The closest classification of this 2004 album is alternative rock, but it is so much more. Mixed into the nine songs are styles of dub, folk, trip hop, and soothing soul. The sound of the group caught my attention when one of the tracks, Whoa Now, was featured on the soundtrack of the movie Disturbia (2007). I immediately tracked down the rest of the album and was not the least bit disappointed. The opening track, Perique, has an inviting feeling that haunts while it entertains. The rest of the album is a brief yet enjoyable journey of wistful nostalgia. It uses drums, beat machines, acoustic guitar, and piano to gently surround you with an aura of calm. Even the cover of Mazzy Star’s Cry Cry is a strong rendition that rivals the original.
If you’re looking for an album that you can play over and over again, or revisit down the road, this is a perfect example. It leaves you with a smile. In a time when illegally downloaded music is so easy to come by, this album is absolutely worth paying for. I highly recommend it.
Lyrics: 7/10
Vocals: 9/10
Production: 9/10
Replay: 10/10
Flow: 10/10
Track Strength: 9/10
Catchy: 9/10
Recommendation: 10/10
Endurance: 10/10
Total: 83/90
Vernon James 