The Love Language

The Love Language is an American indie rock band from Raleigh, North Carolina, headed by Stuart McLamb.

The Love Language
The Love Language 2014
Background information
OriginRaleigh, North Carolina
GenresIndie, lo-fi, pop
Years active2008-present
LabelsBladen County
Merge
Associated actsThe light pines
The Rosebuds
SOON A.D.
Moon Racer
Websitewww.thelovelanguage.com
MembersStuart McLamb
Thomas Simpson
Autumn Ehinger
Eddie Sanchez
Jordan McLamb
Kris Hilbert
Past membersChristopher Hutcherson-Riddle
Josh Pope
Kate Thompson
Missy Thangs
Jeff Chapple
BJ Burton
Justin Rodermond
Nick Sanborn
Andy Holmes
Ryan Gustafson
Justin Williams
Ian Lockey
Carter Gaj
Jodi Burns
Skylar Gudasz
Josh Moore
Megan Glassman
Paul Thornley
Andrew Lessman
Mark Connor

Origin

The Love Language began after frontman Stuart McLamb's first band, The Capulets, broke up. Following a breakup with his girlfriend, McLamb went on a serious drinking binge and then retreated to his parents' house, where he began recording a series of emotional demos.[1] These songs were originally intended to be heard only by McLamb's ex-girlfriend and a handful of friends,[2] but the demos expanded into a full recording project.[3]

Music

The Love Language's sound is a mix of bleeding-heart pop, lo-fi energy, and bubbly instrumentals.
McLamb's eponymous first album, The Love Language, received some critical praise when it was released under Bladen County Records. David Menconi of Spin magazine wrote, "McLamb's songs -- a mix of moody piano ballads and bouncy guitar rock -- are aching love letters to his ex that combine the emotional directness of Big Star with the raw immediacy of Guided by Voices."[1] Recorded entirely by McLamb, the album caught the attention of fellow North Carolina rockers, The Rosebuds, who asked The Love Language to open for them. In order to play live, McLamb formed a band with Kate Thompson (keyboard), Jeff Chapple (guitar), Josh Pope (bass), Tom Simpson (drums), and his brother Jordan McLamb (drums, acoustic guitar).[3]

The Love Language was then signed to Durham-based Merge Records and released their second album Libraries in July 2010. Unlike the first album, Libraries was recorded in a traditional studio with help from producer BJ Burton. Though Stuart wanted to keep the energy of the lo-fi sound, he noted of Libraries in an interview with Creative Loafing that "you've got a lot of raw emotion of the first record and vibrancy in spirit, but I lacked some of the engineering expertise for better or worse. On the second one, I did it in a studio with an engineer who I was able to work with very well. He made it an equally enjoyable process."[3] Burton was also recruited to play guitar while touring along with Missy, Jordan, Kevin (RIP?) and Justin Rodermond (bass), an old friend of McLamb's.

Discography
Stuart McLamb at The Soapbox, Wilmington, NC 2012
Year Album details Peak chart positions
US Heat[4]
2009 The Love Language
  • Release date: February 10, 2009[5]
  • Label: Bladen County Records
 —
2010 Libraries 14
2013 Ruby Red —
2018 Baby Grand

References
  1. Hot New Band: The Love Language, interview with Spin magazine
  2. The Love Language, the love language at Merge Records
  3. The Love Language: Stu McLamb's Take on Pop, interview with Crib Notes of "Creative Loafing"
  4. "Billboard chart search: The Love Language".
  5. "The Love Language on Merge Records".
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