Blue Lights on the Runway

Bell X1

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 3, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Yep Roc Records
• ASIN: B001PPGAS0
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,648 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #65 in

  Music > World Music > Europe > British Isles > Ireland

Editorial Reviews

Review

There's much more than a ghost in the high-performance machine that is this acclaimed Irish band's new album. Synths and samplers permeate the arrangements, but vibrant melodies and vigorous grooves are key to tracks such as The Great Defector and A Better Band (both evoking vintage Talking Heads) and more softly glowing fare. Blending soul and atmosphere, they frequently reach higher ground. Elysa Gardner --USA Today

Product Description

After critical raves, three national tours and multiple late-night TV bookings surrounding their break out album Flock, Irish band Bell X1 is back with the ambitious and cutting Blue Lights on the Runway. Their second album on Yep Roc records, BLOTR belies a synth-based metamorphosis for the group Paste Magazine called 'one of Ireland's greatest bands.' The central creative trio of Paul Noonan, Dave Geraghty and Dominic Phillips retained the melody-focused approach of their first album but expanded their sound through the addition of glitchy electronic nuances ('The Ribs of a Broken Umbrella') crunching, prominent guitars ('Breastfed') and glittery art pop ('The Great Defector'). Noonan's gorgeous ballad 'The Light Catches Your Face' anchors the work, exemplifying the emotional gamut fans have come to expect from the versatile rockers. Touring, licensing and the excitement of their now legendary rabid fans are sure to combine for an even greater swell of success for Bell X1 in 2009. Quite literally, Blue Lights on the Runway will make the take-off of a long, rich career.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Now introducing America to Bell X1, March 5, 2009

By	B. Bell (Sugar Grove, Ohio) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Blue Lights on the Runway (MP3 Download)

They have done it. They topped Flock and now they will top the US market. It may take a song on a hit drama show, but America should get ready to meet Bell X1. I downloaded it the morning it came out and have not stopped lisenting to it. I am literally sitting in my cubical at work listening to it and wanting to just jump up and start jamin to songs like The Great Defector, Better Band, and The Ribs of a Broken Umbrella. Then chill to the songs like Light Catches Your Face.
The lyrics as usual are classic and one of a kind.
They have the ability to be the new version of The Talking Heads, without all of David Byrnes wackiness.
Great Job!!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Maturity brings experimentation, June 22, 2009

By	Bryan Dean Bradbury "ThirtyThirty" (La Porte, IN United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Blue Lights on the Runway (MP3 Download)

There may be derivative sounds on this album, but part of mature creativity is synthetic in nature. These gentleman build on derivations to make something new, hummable, danceable, and beautiful. You, who gave this music one star and proclaimed the demise of Bell X1, surely did not give this a careful listen. These songs are well-crafted, cleverly arranged, and well-produced, and will hold up to tight scrutiny and critical analysis. Listen. It's all you need to do to appreciate this art.

5.0 out of 5 stars Complex, Fun, and a Bit Wistful, October 6, 2009

By	B. Cupp "Anonymous" (Tacoma, WA.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Blue Lights on the Runway (MP3 Download)

If the only song you heard on this record was "The Great Defector," you'd be getting the wrong idea about the sound. Sure, that particular song evokes Talking Heads, but the rest of the album has a much more introspective, almost sentimental feel to it. The lyrics are completely fresh and extremely well-written. The songs are both whimsical and highly complex musically. This band is truly excellent and I hope they visit us in Seattle when they tour. Buy this record!! You won't regret it.