For Love Not Lisa Albums (4)
'The Lost Elephant'
Release Date 9/28/1999
Tracks 13
Label Tooth & Nail
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
For Love Not Lisa broke up in 1995, soon after issuing its second album for East West/Atlantic. Lost Elephant is part FLNL retrospective and part reintroduction, as it's a hodgepodge of early favorites, new material, and a cover (The Buck Pets' "Inamorata," which sounds exactly like a FLNL song). New tracks "Nothing But the Heavy," "Myself Me," and "Icon" return to the band's hard-charging mix of metal chug and Minneapolis slop, while the latter track even goes for some Quicksand-style browbeating. In keeping with their tradition of filling out albums with different versions of the same song, "Had a Lover" appears here twice. Longtime listeners should probably take note of Lost Elephant, as it cleans up For Love Not Lisa's loose ends. And fans of Mike Lewis' work with Puller might also find this interesting. But for the most part, the band's two East West albums will serve the casual listener just fine. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide
'Information Superdriveway'
Release Date 8/29/1995
Tracks 13
Label East/West
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Cut from the same cloth as the Goo Goo Dolls, this band of former Chainsaw Kittens members makes similar Replacements-inspired rock & roll with a dash of heavy metal to make it more aggressive. At times, the tension built by this outfit bursts into fine pop rock ditties such as "Daydream" and the surging "Coming Into Focus." Other times the band seems to relish its metal influences with chugging riffs and screaming vocals. Vocalist Mike Lewis has a strong voice that is muffled by flat production, and at times the songs completely blend into one another. What the band lacks in personality it almost makes up in songwriting; there is no lack of catchy melodies or memorable lyrics. But better production and less chugging riffs could have made this essential. As it is, there are a few great songs mixed in with a few okay songs, making it appealing to fans of the genre but probably not many others. ~ Bradley Torreano, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Merge marks For Love Not Lisa's major label debut. The EastWest/Atlantic release finds the quartet sharpening the corners of its ragged alt rock, with tracks like "Softhand" and the churning "Slip Slide Melting" getting really aggressive with their guitars, perhaps searching around for a radio hit. At the same time, Merge still isn't as focused as it might have been. The meandering "Lucifer for Now" seems to be closer to what For Love Not Lisa wants to do; it alternates swirling, dream pop guitars with soaring, spiritual vocals and deliberate percussion that keeps the six-minute-plus song on the rails. "Travis Hoffman" is another highlight, with more heart-twisting vocal ire from Mike Lewis and good use of the quiet-loud dynamic during the verses. And "More Than a Girl" returns from the band's debut, resurfacing in a shorter, more distinct version. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for fellow returnee "Mother's Faith," which is interminable at seven-plus minutes. Atmospheric guitar solos twisting into the wind over earnest power chords and droning percussion is a fine formula. But on tracks like "Swallow," For Love Not Lisa seems to get lost in the components of its songs. Fans of Jane's Addiction's more epic side might take a liking to Merge, but For Love Not Lisa itself still seems torn between its aggressive alternative rock side and the desire to write enormously passionate "Three Days"-style rock & roll journeys. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
For Love Not Lisa's eponymous debut elicits comparisons to the heartland-alternative of Poster Children and Mercy Rule, groups that access the hard-charging dynamics of Hüsker Dü and the Pixies, but replace their inherent irony with liberal doses of sincerity. FLNL is now based in L.A., but they're Oklahoma City boys at heart, so the comparison is apt. For Love begins with "More Than a Girl," which cranks on a great two-chord riff as distorted bass fills out the bottom end. When Mike Lewis screams "She was the best girl I ever had," you believe him. There's definitely some of the Northwest's grit in For Love Not Lisa's sound; comparisons to Mudhoney or even Nirvana could be made, but it's more likely the quartet just grew up with the same records those guys did. In its best moments, For Love Not Lisa can hang with any of its peers, but they could have used an editor. This release is filled out with three unremarkable and often much too long live tracks, as well as a "CHR radio version" of "More Than a Girl." ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide
