Blue Lights on the Runway

Bell X1 | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: March 3, 2009
• Label: Yep Roc Records
• Copyright: 2009 Yep Roc Records
• Total Length: 54:41
• Genres:
  • Alternative Rock
  • Rock
• ASIN: B001PM0KLG
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #82,690 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful

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

By B. Bell

Format:MP3 Music

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

Format:MP3 Music

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Every song? How do they do that? April 14, 2009

By peg marson

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have lists of music scattered around my house - songs in every genre that I had to run to the radio to find out who it was, then jotted names down so I could find them later on the net or at Amazon for purchase. Maybe a half of one percent of new songs I hear make my lists, but Bell X1 has scored with every song I've heard. They didn't let me down with this album; every song is eminently worth listening to. They are terrific rockin' in the background while I work. They are maybe even better when I take the time to hear them intimately. Great instrumentation - beautiful music - on every cut, and lyrics provocative enough to keep me wondering...

4.0 out of 5 stars Download The Great Defector and save a buck! September 11, 2012

By Jonathan Carter

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

When I first heard the cut The Great Defector, I thought the Talking Heads had a great new CD! Being a Steinbeck fan and it's reference to Of Mice and Men made it even more appealing! I still like that cut, but can live without some of the accompanying ones on Blue Lights on the Runway.

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Music February 10, 2010

By Dean K

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

This band must have listened to a Lot of Talking Heads, you can hear the influence. The music is great and although they have been around for sometime it is not until recent times that I had heard their music. Thanks to WFUV. I would reccomend for anybody who enjoys listenting to all types of music - adult alternative. This is not loud obnoxious music

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

By B. Cupp

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

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.

5.0 out of 5 stars grand work, boys July 30, 2009

By max92

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

First off, thanks to Sirius station the Spectrum for having "The Great Defector" in heavy rotation over the last several weeks - would never have heard of these guys but for the Spectrum. This album is good and ...different which is the greater compliment in this age of overwrought power ballad vocals a la The Fray and weed mellow acoustic dribble by the likes of Jack Johnson masquerading as alternative rock. The influence of the Talking Heads is evident, as well as The Arcade Fire, but it would be unfair to say this album is entirely derivative. The elegant and sweet slower numbers like "Blow Ins" and great storytelling of a song like "Amelia" owe nothing to TH or AF. I love the punchy extended jams that round out songs like "The Way Your Heart is Wired" and "A Better Band". Weird to read that Damien Rice was a member of this band in a previous incarnation (the band, not Rice). I think they dodged a bullet there; Rice is way too earnest (and just damn annoying, IMHO). He would have robbed the Bells of their wonderful sense of humor displayed in their quirky lyrics. The album is just really enjoyable, give it a listen.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars GOOD MUSIC for a bad day! February 3, 2010

By L. Holewczynski

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I was so looking forward to listening to this CD, but I wanted to save it for a bad day...it did not disappoint.