Once upon a time, there was a band named For Love Not Lisa. They signed with Elektra Records, released several critically-acclaimed albums, toured with big-name bands Stone Temple Pilots and Rage Against the Machine, and then broke up, angry at Elektra's inability to capitalize. Lead singer Mike Lewis and guitarist Miles went on to form the popular Christian band Puller, and it seemed like For Love Not Lisa was dead and buried. Until now.
Tooth & Nail has released (to secular stores only, presumably due to some controversial artwork in the liner notes) The Lost Elephant, a fourteen-track album that includes outtakes, rarities, and three new tracks, recorded just this year. It's obviously a must-have for fans of Puller, as well as those of us who have grown weary of mediocre electronica and late '90s radio rock, and long for the power chord-chugging days of grunge. Yes, Nirvana fans will be well-pleased by The Lost Elephant--the album combines the best of the grunge movement, mixing elements of not only Cobain, but also Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, and other "grunge greats."
The lyrics are generally too low in the mix to be deciphered, but those that are intelligible don't appear to be overbearingly Christian. This may irk the more conservative followers of Christendom, but keep in mind that For Love Not Lisa never claimed to be a Christian band. They were signed to a secular label, played with only secular bands, and had no involvement whatsoever in the Christian music industry.
The album's major problem comes with the sameness of the songs. All the songs have the typical grunge feel to them, and the only songs that really stand out as different is the ballad "Synchronicity of the Preacher Man Blues" and the weird beatnik-type poem "No Compression." Other than that, these are typical early 1990s grunge anthems, which will either irritate you or delight you, depending on your feelings for the genre.
3.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #82Reviewed by Ben MengdenThis is kind of a surprise. The phoenix rises from the ashes and who would have guessed this one? With 3 new songs and a barrage of old FLNL songs, The Lost Elephant CD re-surges their distinctive sound now to a possibly new Tooth and Nail audience. Not quite punk, not quite grunge, not quite metal, and not pop radio, FLNL brings their straight forward rock of blends (alternative / modern rock)…The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Josh SpencerFor Love Not Lisa, best known for their song on The Crow soundtrack in the early '90s and for being the earlier band of Mike Lewis and Miles from Puller, is back. Tooth & Nail somehow convinced Mike and Miles to add a FLNL return to their other ongoing projects. Good move, since Lewis' throaty but soft vocals always did fit the aggression of FLNL better than the arty post-punk of Puller. The Lost…Similar sounding releases
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