Customer Reviews

Behind the Light

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The haunting voice of some of the best from the ethereal This Mortal Coil cooperative returns with his new band for their third and best effort to date. Trippy and moody songs backed by layered guitars and suprisingly hard rhythyms. The album is a production effort more than simple songs and the layering of harmonies and guitars makes the sound a dense yet powerful and uplifting experience. The harmonies are complex enough to reward repeated listenings. Uncut and Q both gave this 4 stars and for once it is reality rather than hype. They reference the Floyd but I think that is a stretch and not necesarily a comparison the band would strive for. The symphonic approach draws some comparison to Spacemen 3 or Spritualized especially with all the phased bass and guitar but it is the combination of that quasi keening and droning with hard bass lines and complex harmonies of voices and lead guitars that make this such an emotional listen. This is the ultimate soundtrack to a drive at night across country on too much coffee and a burning hatred for all matters country.

Just a correction, Breathless has been around since the 80s (before Appleton's participation in This Mortal Coil) and this album is their 6th album of original material. Hope they still put stuff out in the future.

I am glad that Breathless still exists as the same intact band they always have been. Their act has not much changed, and this is actually a good thing: Behind The Light is better than the trippy, mellow "Blue Moon", yet older albums such as "Chasing Promises" are far better. Highlights here include 'nobody knows' and "after all these years". The albums best track is the last: "Fade"... a slow moving but beautiful instramental. I hope we can hear more from this under-rated band, especially if it is more like "Chasing Promises" or "Three times and waving".