June 7, 2004 by A.S. Van Dorston

Word has it that Chichester’s Hope Of The States is bringing post-rock to the masses. This wouldn’t be the first time (remember Kid A?), but nevertheless the imagination can conjure some enticing possibilities (a poppier Disco Inferno, more rockin Bark Psychosis?). Reality proves not quite so exciting however. The instrumental “The Black Amnesias” starts out promisingly enough, reducing the Dirty Three, Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Mogwai to their most basic elements. But the next few tunes are nothing but ordinary rock with modest symphonic pretensions. “The Red The White The Black The Blue” injects a spike of energy with driving chords and snarled lyrics. Unfortunately Sam Herlihy’s weak, reedy vocals become far too grating as a singular melody is repeated too many times, spoiling the song.

In a world of perfect pitch and little soul, weak vocalists can be a charming asset, if they know how to work within their limits. Herlihy needs to work on that. “Black Dollar Bills,” clocking in at 7:08, is The Lost Riots’ grandest sounding moment. However, with its strings and requisite crescendo, the song doesn’t really add much to what Mercury Rev already accomplished years ago. With that dour peak, the album cools off slowly with the rousing march of “George Washington” and the string-laden “Me Ves Y Sufras,” which starts out delicately ethereal, and becomes increasingly ragged and jarring. Thereafter, the album settles into more rote, plodding orchestral pop that frankly gets a little boring. It’s a pity that guitarist Jimmi Lawrence killed himself just after recording was finished. From the recent hyperbole you’d think Hope of the States had created their Closer, but it turns out they have a lot of work to do before they reach that league. Unless they recruit someone with some truly invigorating musical ideas, these romantics are truly doomed.

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