Paradise Circus, the Lilac Time's second album of pastoral folk pop, is perhaps Stephen Duffy's strongest collection of songs to date. Building on the strengths of the eponymous debut, PC finds the Lilac Time mining their favorite topics: casually beautiful girls, the English countryside, and love, of course. Highlights of the cd include the America(the band, that is)-sounding "American Eyes," the propulsive "Days of the Week," possibly the Lilacs finest song in "The Girl Who Waves at Trains," the bouncy "Rollercoaster Song," and the perfect hazy closer "Work for the Weekend."
This album may be the best starting place for new fans until the Lilac Time retrospective Compendium is released July 2nd. Also check out "Looking for a Day in the Night" and Duffy's "I Love My Friends," both available on affordable American editions!