chapter Three
Chapter Three completes a trilogy of EPs from Florida based band, Leem of Earth. The three song release follows its predecessors in treading 90s rock band waters, but moves from a definitive synth rock sound into something more fluid and timeless. Sunny Day Real Estate comes to mind, as well as later Jeremy Enigk albums. There’s a hint of prog-rock, as well, on Army of Dry Bones.
The first track and the radio single, Wishing Well, has vocalist LM singing with tense and direct passion in the verses. The chorus quickly builds into a dynamic wail from the entire band. The lyrics tell of LM wishing that she was anywhere but the wishing well, a feeling that is at odds with the traditional fairy tale character.
Dressed For War circles the earth with war drums pounding and arpeggiated synth. The guitars are close and the bass holds everything firm. LM sings “…all of this time I’m looking out but blood’s on the battlefield within.” The song ends with the entire band singing out in the final bridge.
The last song, Army of Dry Bones, includes pieces of Ezekiel chapters 36 and 37 and gives melodies to match the spirit of the lyrics: “Our bones are dry, our hope is lost.” The band thunders in a way that is reminiscent of Radiohead circa The Bends. Almost everything drops out in the middle of the song, as the voice of God speaks to the prophet.
Leem of Earth offers this trilogy-ending EP as a thematic resolution to Leem’s story: that of a person on a quest, in music and in words.