The 3-Way

The Lilys have always had a way with Baroque Kinks-like melodies, but their previous albums were such coy and treacly affairs they should have come with insulin. Things have improved on The 3-Way, with fuzzed-out guitars and organ giving the album a solid core. But head Lily Kurt Heasley can’t resist writing impenetrable lyrics, singing them in a fey whine that’s at odds with the band’s newfound vigor. C+