Review: “All the Bright Lights” album

I don’t often get excited for instrumental/ambient records, but then again I don’t often(ever) hear those records made by guys with this kind of creative rock sensibility. This southern ambi-rock band dubbed All The Bright Lights consists of James Duke, Jon Duke and Jacob Arnold, two brothers and a good friend.

The self titled album opens with a short track called I saw You Running which threw me into the tumbler of what to expect with the rest of the record, a good teaser. But the next track, The Chest of Drawers, really made me come to attention by somehow beautifully combining dark, rich guitars and church bells with this alt-country riff. The song is really an incredible sonic journey and gets you really excited about what’s possible with the rest of the tracks by letting you know loud and clear, this isn’t going to be a let down.

To say it’s a completely instrumental or ambient album is not entirely correct, there are some beautifully haunting vocals in The Door which leaves you hanging onto the line “you came and made a way.” That line introduces the core concept of the album, redemption, that is echoed by some other tracks with vocals, The One That Gave It All, Walls and Shadow of the King. These are simple songs of redemption woven through and exposed through the rich sounds of redemption.

Each song sets the plate emotionally, they are each moving and beautiful, not incomplete but yet allow room for the listener to reinterpret. I find myself singing new songs over each listen and that makes for an incredibly enjoyable album. One that I suspect will remain so for quite some time.

Close Your Eyes is a perfect closing crescendo for the album, the longest song, full of surprises and twists that introduce some new elements but also wrap up what was really a sonic journey. All the Bright Lights combines remarkably rich textures with a driving tension and soaring guitar melodies that resonate just right. If you’re looking for a soundtrack to life, then buy All the Bright Lights. or Amazon.

Also make sure to checkout my interview with James Duke from All the Bright Lights.

All the Bright Lights on myspace.

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