Para Lia - Soap Bubble Dreams
Para Lia releases a new album, Soap Bubble Dreams, today. And it's dope!
Para Lia
The musical project of Germany’s Rene Methner, the project’s unique name arrived after the music for the album was well underway.
Methner explains “I speak Greek and Greece always was an inspiration for me. So suddenly the Greek word paralia came in my mind. It simply means ‘beach.’ And isn’t it a beautiful place to be? I like the sound of the words, and I am very lazy and was not in the mood to search around, so Para Lia was born.”
Based in Cottbus, Germany, prior to Para Lia Methner played with a number of bands, as guitarist, songwriter, and front man. With influences including ‘90s alt-rock and ‘80s dark wave, Methner’s sound blends melodic guitars, along with a distinctive lead guitar and resonant synths.
Speaking to his sound, Methner says, “I am a big fan of Neil Young and Crazy Horse, I love the garage rock of the mid and late ‘60s as well as a lot of great sounding bands from the 60’s on. There are no limits; a song is beautiful if it radiates something special.”
Para Lia has it going on! In fact, this album should be included on any number of Best Albums of the year lists.
Consisting of 10-tracks, Soap Bubble Dreams begins with the title track, a surging alt-rock number with growling dirty guitars accompanied by shimmering accents. A driving rhythm imbues the tune with muscular energy, as Methner’s resonant, haunting voice flows over the music. The panoply of sonic layers gives the harmonics vast depth and extensive dimension.
Along with the title track, highlights include “Leaves Of Grey,” opening on industrial sound effects flowing into an alt-rock melody reminiscent of REM, undulating on swelling guitars full of scintillating colors. A stellar guitar solo, dark and gravelly, gives the tune murky nuclear frisson. Methner’s tones, potent and urgent, inject the lyrics with dark, melancholic necessity.
“Beautiful Day” rides a scrumptious new wave flow filled with luminous droning synth colors. A fat bass line rumbles with formidable pulsations, as Methner’s portentous tones float overhead. When Cindy Methner’s gorgeously affluent tones enter, the tune takes on a wicked wash of color.
Soap Bubble Dreams, with its tight and right alt-rock and dark wave-laced harmonics is definitely a must-listen-to album. Para Lia has it going on! In fact, this album should be included on any number of Best Albums of the year lists.
