Laguna!
Country of origin:
U.S.
Type of music generally:
Jazzy ectronica/alternative pop
Status:
Most recent release, "Letters" (single, 2013); most recent full-length release, Volcano (2010)
See also:
Laguna's site
Comparisons:
Björk, Pizzicato Five, Cibo Matto, Stereolab
Covers/own material:
Own
General comments:
Fresh and inventive electronic pop for modern fans. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
Recommended first album:
Outside Casa
Recordings:
- Uta (ep, c. 2000)
- Morocco (2001)
- Keep It In Mind (2002)
- Outside Casa (2005)
- Volcano (2010)
Outside Casa
Release info:
2005—Laguna! Music—LCD0004
Availability:
See Laguna's site for availability
Ecto priority:
Recommended
Group members:
Lydia Nor—vocals, spoken word
Shane Peck—keyboards, program, drums, electronic percussion, midi arrangements, backing vocals
Keane Peterson—bass
Guest artists:
Lionel Reinert—keyboards, electronic percussion, programming, midi arrangements, Rhodes piano
Raida Ishak—Arabic speaking
Produced by:
Laguna! with Lionel Reinert
Comments:
Laguna! play loungey, poppy, and often madly catchy electronic pop. They sound like they're having fun and that's infectious. The lead vocals are terrific and the mood relaxed. They seem to have crafted the perfect soundtrack for summer. Or for remembering past summers. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
Volcano
Release info:
2010—Class M Records—002
Availability:
See Laguna's site for availability
Ecto priority:
Recommended
Group members:
Lydia Nor—vocals
Shane Peck—drums, keyboards, bprogramming, vocals, glockenspiel, percussion
Noah Wilson—bass
Markus von Prause—keyboards, live laptop operation
Brian Hartman—alto saxophine, percussion
Guest artists:
Shane Peck, Markus von Prause, and Zach Banhart
Produced by:
Rusty Urie—guitar (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9)
Joe Doria—Rhodes (3)
Janet Utterback-Peck—violin (8)
Karen Halliburton—violin (8)
Briann Atwell—viola (9)
Danna Birdsall-Theilen—cello (8)
Peter Lynch—trumpet (9)
Ted Wallis—drumeditiong (1)
Comments:
Laguna! continue playing relaxed, often sunny pop with a distinct feel for melody and a beguiling sense of cool. It's like a warmer less autumnal Stereolab at times. Lydia Nor's vocals are especially strong this time around. They've not really changed since the last album, but their formula is winning anyway. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
Thanks to stjarnell@yahoo.com for work on this entry.
