LIGHTS OUT

After the gothic trip hop debut, Duncan Patterson and Michael Moss returned with a more organic sounding album. The hand from trip hop can still be felt, but it is a dark and looming hand, casting a sombre and colourless blanket over the mood.

The great thing about it is that it doesn't need any of the overtly dramatic or pathetic tricks that goth rock often resorts to. The sound is mostly sparse, featuring soft warm vocals and some moody piano, acoustic guitars and modest rhythms. The vocals duties are split between the male and female vocalists. The female vocals are excellent and Moss has a modest but touching voice that is slightly similar to other cheery vocalists such as Kevin Moore and the Cavanagh brothers from Anathema.

An album with sparse musical arrangements as this one has to go on the intensity of its mood and the qualities of the song writing. Unfortunately, the mood can get a bit monotonous after a while, all songs are a bit too similar and not all of them manage to appeal to me equally. The album highlights are Everything You Know, Expire and Dream.

Fans of Anathema who haven't checked out this band yet must sure give them a try, but I doubt they have the potential to win over anybody else. Still, if you're in need for a decent album with nice moody rock songs, this might be the one. 3.5 stars.