Is It Too Early?

To reminisce about The High Llamas, that is? I think not. They were basically dead in the water by the end of the 20th century with their halcyon days in the later half of the 90s and the critics "world as oyster" phrases lapsing 5 years before that.

They were the first band I wanted to hear again and again after I rediscovered my love for music in 1995. The mix of electronics, Beach Boys / 60's melodies, classic, extensive horn and string arrangements, silk-dry production and, most especially, their cool, calm reserve resonated with me deeply (and still does). I suppose that this last point could be seen as a personality flaw in normal circumstances but unless you love this aspect of the band then you really will hate them.

As most people do.

mp3: Checking In, Checking Out

After Microdisney broke up, Sean Hagan kept up the sophisticated indie pop with a solo release and then the 1st HL album "Santa Barbara". But it wasn't until "Gideon Gaye" that the band's sound and style started to coalese. 'Checking In...' is a transitional song with all those guitars and Steely Dan / America influences showing through but the extended instrumental section at the end points to a slightly more expanded vision.

mp3: Dressing Up The Old Dakota

"Hawaii" came along a couple of years later and was minutely tuned with short bridging tracks between the longish songs. And the production is superb - not a note or voice out of place. 'Dakota' starts with one of those Brian Wilson plink-plonk piano arrangements which I would tire of by the end of their career but the repetitive, looping end section always manages to fascinate.

mp3: Glide Time

1997's "Cold and Bouncy" takes the heat out of their music even further. Rarely emotional, they now sound like ultra-perfect space age bachelor pad music. 'Glide Time' is 50's lounge updated with 'sophisticated' vintage electronics.

mp3: Triads

By "Snowbug" they were practically frigid. I ached to hear something that even promised real sentiment but I knew it could never be - they simply wouldn't be the High Llamas if personality seeped through. 'Triads' comes closest but it's the arrangement that does it once again. Sparse, clean, ascetic. Not the kinds of words that make the young folk sit up and take notice.

Their later albums refine this sound even further but the tunes aren't there any more and the record company money has all but dried up so the production can't match the ideas anymore. A few desultory almost solo tours and now no word for a year or so.

A box set is all that can await the fans.