resulted in a layered, lush sound complete with hidden harmonies ("Lost in the Rain"), distant pianos ("Sleep") and faint backing-vocals ("Everybody's Laughing"). Big choruses, like in the upbeat "My Friend" -- the album's best -- or in "Downtown," Angels' first single, beg for road trip sing-a-longs. But, on the other hand, the slick production and his, at times, contrived singing prevent Lloyd from captivating the way Elliott Smith or Thom Yorke -- both definite influences -- can. Still, Lloyd's melodies linger, and with lyrics about love and loneliness -- as well as an opening slot on Beth Orton's current tour -- the songwriter may take America like he has his homeland.

BENJAMIN L. FRIEDLAND
(July 23, 2002)