By JAMES MELVILLE
It’s the end of the week, and you’re feeling a little dead inside. You’ll probably try to combat the exhaustion with a good nap and some heavy drinking, because, hey, you’re not a doctor. Well, neither am I, but I might have a better prescription. What’s better than naps and alcohol, you ask? Why, The Lespaunts, a group that many of you already know.
Based in Boston, the band is made up of Nick Picariello, Corey Chaloff, and SLU’s own Noah Fitch ’14. Last year, they released their first effort, Blue Bonnet EP, a solid collection of four pop songs that displayed a flair for songwriting and layered instrumentation. With Haunt, The Lespaunts deliver their first full album, and it’s an impressive debut. Haunt is a bit more polished than Blue Bonnet EP, but just as genuine.
The Lespaunts have got a good thing going here. They’re possessors of that frustrating combination of youth and talent. There’s some impressive musicianship to be found on Haunt, but it’s never showy. The album opens with “Welcome Mat,” a brief, spoken track that sets the tone for the album: “…when did everybody decide at once that what you are will always be at least a few inches behind what you should be?”
What follows is a pretty pleasant way to spend 35 minutes. The Lespaunts give us songs about looking around, slowing down, and making time for love. As cheesy as I felt writing that, it’s hard to fault them for any of those things.
Y’all should check it out. They’re talented musicians, and Haunt makes for an enjoyable listen. Incidentally, The Lespaunts are playing at Pub 56 this Friday night at 9:00. It should be a pretty good time.
