Lovedrug have always been a favorite of mine since their 2004 debut Pretend You’re Alive. Being on The Militia Group label, they always seemed to get lumped in the emo category which I think is terribly unfair for such a great rock band. Their sophomore record Everything Starts Where It Ends was just as impressive, adding a even a bit more guitar crunch. In 2008 came The Sucker Punch Show, Lovedrug’s darkest album to date. The album had an ominous feel throughout with lots of piano and some crushing guitar licks. The lyrics bordered on cynical to say the least and it left me wondering just what kind of mental trauma front man Michael Shepard had endured. Early last year, the band released online Sucker Punched: The Alternate LP. It was a complete reworking of The Sucker Punch Show. Faster songs were stripped down, slower songs were sped up, piano replaced guitar and vice versa. It was an excellent reimagining of an already amazing record. Lovedrug showed off their true talent and musicianship. Then in November, they posted 5 new songs on their Myspace. According to the band, these were “crap demos we recorded on our 16 track.” Nevertheless, the songs are quite impressive. For a time, they were available for download from Purevolume.com. Luckily I snapped them up and have been listening non-stop. According to a blog entry from the band, the songs are a preview of a new EP that should be coming out soon. Three of the songs are available on Noise Trade for free (provided you tell five friends about them.) I would suggest checking it out. I can’t wait for the EP, but until then I’ll be enjoying the demos, especially today’s song which boasts some great guitar work and an amazing hook; one of the best I’ve heard from Lovedrug in a while.Lovedrug - "Pink Champagne"
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