I recently got the opportunity to see The Unicorns play in my hometown. As I gazed at the list of opening acts before the big show, I grew weary at the improbable boredom prior to the arrival of the main act. The night would see four bands altogether but the first act would be the one that everyone would talk about all night as they exited out of the doors. Her name is Krista Muir a.k.a. Lederhosen Lucil, perhaps the most intriguing and gifted performer I’ve witnessed in months.
Lederhosen Lucil (tee hee) is one of many impressionable performers emerging from Montreal, Canada’s synth-pop underground. Her musicianship is simplistic, yet complicated; she graces the stage with two vintage Yamaha synthesizers extending from her hips, that’s it. Enrobed in an authentic German clad, including the blonde braids and the lederhosen (short pants/overalls), Lucil exposes her audience to synth pop that intertwines many genres, including new wave, reggae, rap, country, and punk. Her sense of humor is precious and contagious, enveloping her audience with quirky compositions about office workers, cutlery, and sucrose. Furthermore, her childhood love of Pee-Wee Herman exemplifies her unique stage presence, gracing her fans with her patented German-accent and comical gyrations.
Enthralled by her performance, I immediately acquired a copy of her two album releases. My initial reservation about the purchase was the possible lack of showmanship the albums might possess. I’m one of many music fans that admire a band even more when they perform well in a live setting. But I’ve also seen many performers lack intensity on record. Lederhosen Lucil’s performance was a great deal of intensity. She didn’t rest long between songs and her captivated audience hung on her every word during her entire set. Would her records do the same?
I listened to her 2002 debut release Hosemusik first, immediately recognizing her intensity on stage was equally matched on record, plowing through upbeat ditties like “Automatic Weapons Of The World,” “Beethleguile,” and “Candidi Albicani” with effortless aptitude. Her seamless transition between English, French, and German did not tarnish the flow of the record and added a touch of uniqueness that exemplified her musical strength. The Pet Shop Boys’ dedication “Molasses Trip” is reminiscent of the band's dance electro-funk from the 80's and rightfully pays an adequate tribute to the band (including authentic British accents). “Natural Light” is a down tempo, swing-like track about the comedy of today’s rat race, bellowing lyrics like, “I want to go out at night/It’s the only time I get to feel natural light.” “All Good Scabs” is a funk song, dressed in a thick bassline and vocals reminiscent of a tame version of Le Tigre, showcasing Lucil’s diverse musical accompaniments. Overall, Hosemusik is an enlightening and entertaining record filled with fun and pleasurable songs.
While Hosemusik certainly impressed and eased my initial uncertainties, 2003’s Tales From The Pantry secured my intuitions that Lederhosen Lucil is one of today’s most electrifying performers. “Anarchavid” continues the intensity and proves to be her best song. “La Vocabulaire” is a French composition that hypnotizes the listener with its simplistic and insidious instrumentation. And “Best Dishwasher I Ever Had” continuous her humorous outlook on social behaviors accompanied with her seductive, hushed vocals and heavy bassline reminiscent of heyday Everything But The Girl. But what is evident on this sophomore release is her improved musical craftsmanship and overall confidence. Her accompaniments are more intricate and her performances display an exemplary passion that progresses with each passing song. This is evident on songs like “Sigh About This,” “Mein Augen,” and “Doin The Ganglion.”
Novelty acts can fool many people. I’m not considering that Lederhosen Lucil is novelty but many could easily come to that unfortunate conclusion due to her peculiar choice of performance attire and comical approach to music. What remains evident is that Lederhosen Lucil is an extremely talented and clever performer. Kid Koala would agree. So do I. Danka Lederhosen Lucil, Danka!
Hosemusik:
1. Fidelio carnivalis
2.
Bioritzka
3. Automatic weapons of the world
4. Cutlery
5. Country bell
6. Candidi Albicani
7. Beetleguile
8. Love bites from an EKG
9. All good scabs
10. Molasses trip
11. Natural light
12. Annaphylaxis
13. You suck
Tales From The Pantry:
1. Anarchavid
2. Best dishwasher I ever had
3. Throwing up leaves
4. ooo omg
5. Herr noit
6. Fur annabella
7. Mein augen
8. Doin the ganglion
9. La vocabulaire
10. Sigh about this
11. Space
More about: Lederhosen Lucil
