Departure Lounge

CMJ Review of
"Too Late To Die Young":
The concept here seems relatively simple; Departure Lounge is British at heart (the band makes its home in both Brighton, England and Nashville), yet happy. Too Late To Die Young is a cynicism-free, joyous celebration of song that steps outside of a dreary Brit-pop stereotype and wanders into a realm of more spirited and carefree songwriting that oozes with originality. Singer, guitarist, songwriter and longtime Robyn Hitchcock collaborator Tim Keegan has a standout voice that at times brings to mind older Pink Floyd, and at others lapses into a less serious - but even more soaring and poppy - tenor. As close as anyone has come to updating the early-'90s Manchester sound with a less kitschy agenda, the 11 tracks on Too Late To Die Young are brimming with electronic tinges and funky beats, many of which come courtesy of producer Kid Loco. Departure Lounge not only does the unexpected, but repeatedly shifts gears throughout, moving from upbeat rockers like "King Kong Frown" to the spacey electro ruminations of "Tubular Belgians In My Goldfield," then chilling out with the kitchen sink percussion of "Coke And Flakes," and even throwing in a gorgeous male/female duet on "Over The Side." By taking a few chances Departure Lounge has scored a pop masterpiece.
- Peter D'Angelo: CMJ New Music Report Issue: 760 - Apr 29, 2002

Skoal On the soundtrack to Ed Burns film, Sidewalks of NY: "The New You" Departure Lounge's tune here amazon.com On RealAudio In the film during the Ashley-Ben coffee-shop scene. Ashley/Brittany Murphy Photo Par.Cls	Photo credits: Meekgiant/Departure Lounge Photo credit 2003 © JJ Brassil	CMJ Review of "Too Late To Die Young": The concept here seems relatively simple; Departure Lounge is British at heart (the band makes its home in both Brighton, England and Nashville), yet happy. Too Late To Die Young is a cynicism-free, joyous celebration of song that steps outside of a dreary Brit-pop stereotype and wanders into a realm of more spirited and carefree songwriting that oozes with originality. Singer, guitarist, songwriter and longtime Robyn Hitchcock collaborator Tim Keegan has a standout voice that at times brings to mind older Pink Floyd, and at others lapses into a less serious - but even more soaring and poppy - tenor. As close as anyone has come to updating the early-'90s Manchester sound with a less kitschy agenda, the 11 tracks on Too Late To Die Young are brimming with electronic tinges and funky beats, many of which come courtesy of producer Kid Loco. Departure Lounge not only does the unexpected, but repeatedly shifts gears throughout, moving from upbeat rockers like "King Kong Frown" to the spacey electro ruminations of "Tubular Belgians In My Goldfield," then chilling out with the kitchen sink percussion of "Coke And Flakes," and even throwing in a gorgeous male/female duet on "Over The Side." By taking a few chances Departure Lounge has scored a pop masterpiece. - Peter D'Angelo: CMJ New Music Report Issue: 760 - Apr 29, 2002
Departure Lounge@The Yard Dog 2000-Austin Tx © Tony Nelson		Tim Keegan Photo credit JJ Brassil