Rockin' Our Turntable + Exclusive Download: Scott Lucas & The Married Men

By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 17, 2010 4:30PM

Spoiler Alert: He gets the girl.

Scott Lucas started work on what would become his solo debut with The Married Men, George Lassos the Moon, by sending songs in progress to an ex-girlfriend he was trying to win back. They were pleas for reconciliation and admissions of his own faults. They were heartfelt, honest, direct and, ultimately, convincing. And now Lucas is inviting the whole world to step in and share his experience.

Lucas is no stranger to writing emotionally raw lyrics but he tends to hide them behind walls of guitar and crushing drums. On George Lassos the Moon the volume is dialed back, way back, but it's done so without losing and emotional intensity.

In some way George Lassos the Moon is the post-script to 2008's Twelve Angry Months' distillation and communization of a break-up seen through ragged fury and slow acceptance. What follows that acceptance when your heart just won't let you rest? How do you heal the self-inflicted wounds you don't think deserve to be healed? Lucas tackles these topics and allows his heart's blood to seep into each phrase, many of which are delivered with a wearied longing that seems absolutely perfect.

This isn't a meek or tentative out singer / songwriter album though. The songs are tender, but there's a strength behind them, built on Lucas' impeccable ear for melody. For a man so used to volume he shows a remarkable knack for arranging allowing instruments to fill and complement the emotional space he creates, forming songs that swallow you whole while rarely raising above a whisper. It's the sound of one man's heart beating, hoping to become whole, and it's a powerful sound.

MP3: Scott Lucas & the Married Men "Weatherman"

Scott Lucas & the Married Men play a release show for George Lassos the Moon this Saturday, February 20, at Schubas, 3159 N Southport, 10 p.m., $10/ $12 at the door, 21+