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Looking for Flowers Again has a little secret.  On the surface, this new album from Late Tuesday comes off as a quintessential chic folk album.  Start with the Late Tuesday band name.  Add an album cover featuring the band members hanging at the local coffee shop.  Even have the first two tracks (“Flowers or Honesty” and “Everything Means Nothing”) exude a sort of Indigo Girly organic sound.  A formula for an album the feminists will all love, right?  Well, not exactly.

Rip away its rather thin facade, and the secret is revealed.  Looking for Flowers Again is gasp! a pop album!  Deceiving appearances aside, Late Tuesday’s third effort is a sometimes schizophrenic, but above average blending of sensitive folk-pop.  Fronted by Dana Little, Tara Ward, and Jocelyn Feil, their piano-oriented acoustic sound is certainly a pleasure to listen to.  In fact, they are dripping with talent as all three contribute vocals, share lyrical writing duties, and play most of the instruments.

One of the strengths of this album is the producing talent of Aaron Sprinkle.  It appears to be a wise choice for Sprinkle to have steered Looking for Flowers Again in more of a pop direction.  The few times Sprinkle and Late Tuesday do veer the record in a more folksy direction, it lacks verve and distinctiveness.  They hit the jackpot, however, when they stay in the safe haven of the tender ballad and the radio-friendly tune about the complexities of love.  Do not be mistaken.  This is not bubblegum Late Tuesday is putting out, but poignant, meaty pop melodies that delve into the themes of love and relationships: both with God and with those in life.

A handful of tracks impress with their sheer sweetness.  “Looking  through Rosy Glasses” is a floating 4-plus minute masterpiece that absolutely overwhelms the senses with its memorable hooks, vocal splendor, and unique choice of opening instrumentation.  “I Do” and “A Better Hold” are two other songs that stand out and give this group a sound they can call their own.

Overall, Looking for Flowers Again is a solid record that satisfy fill the listener’s need for soft, meaningful pop music.  Those who want a more earthy sound will be disappointed, but this should not dissuade them from at least giving this album a chance.  This is just enough great material on here to make it a worthy purchase­both for the Women’s Studies major and for the rest of the us.

Noel Lloyd  11/9/03