The Lights – 'Grand Union' (Seeca) Released 31/10/05

 

It’s hard to put a stamp on The Lights’ sound as ‘Grand Union’ swerves through melancholic ambience, evil electronica, and uplifting breakbeats.  Like cruising through the Star Trek galaxy whilst checking out the stars and looking down Dr Spoks ear hole, we breeze through the Zero 7 esque tracks ‘Good As It Get’s’ and ‘No Conditions’, with vocal beauty from Imogen Andrews.  Then, the Goldfrapp-on-pills thunderbolts ‘Free Ride’ and ‘Raise Your Head’ give impetus to Lester’s vision, cleverly unsettling from the melancholic norm, keeping you wondering where the ‘Grand Union’ galaxy is travelling to. 

 

‘Grand Union’ does however come with its flaws, as the gritty guitar meteor ‘Hole In The Head’ (sadly not a Sugababes cover) hits us off course to the evil planet tin-rock, and is soon followed by the 80s cringe-ball ‘Do You Feel’, disturbingly sounding like Paul Young converging with Wham.

 

However, the Post-club breakbeat ‘Only Way Out’ provides the stardust needed to forget the rough around the edges production and dodgy experimentation.  A ballsy debut.