Customer Reviews

The Listening

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Solid first Dream/Synth Pop album from the wonderful singer-songwriter-keytarist LIGHTS (Valerie Poxleitner). Standout tracks, in my opinion, are "River," "Ice," "Second Go," "The Last Thing on Your Mind," "Face Up," "Lions!" and "Up Up and Away" (bonus iTunes track).

LIGHTS is the real deal, people. She uses various vocal tricks on the album, but I've seen her in-person live and on live video chats, and she can belt out a tune like nobody's business. She's already immensely popular in her homeland of Canada, and hopefully with this album can become a household name here in the United States. She definitely deserves it.

LIGHTS is now one of my three favorite things from Canada (the other two being the band Sloan and the fast food restaurant New York Fries).

I've downloaded many of these songs previously as EP releases and love all of them. This debut album has many new songs on it and they are all awesome. I recommend this album to anyone. She has a great voice, unique sound, and you won't be disappointed.

Other fantastic songs from Lights are: White, Drive Your Soul(one of my overall favorites), and I Owe You One.

This girl really does some good beats, not to mention her perfect voice. This is what belongs on the radio, not the overrated celebs we know. She has super talent, and I am now an addict to her music

LIGHTS has quickly become one of my favorite artists. The first song I ever heard by her was "I Owe You One" (which unfortunately did not make it to this album) and I fell in love with the meaningful lyrics and the style of music. This album definitely did NOT disappoint me.

I should note that I purchased it back when it first came out, and that it was the first physical CD I had purchased in over 2 years. I don't regret the purchase. I still listen to this album, even 2 years after its release.

The album itself is of the synthpop genre. There is a good mix of songs. There are upbeat songs -- such as "Saviour," "Lions!" and "Face Up" -- and then there are more melancholy songs, like "Pretend" and "Drive My Soul." The songs are all well-produced, and all of them are catchy. Lights herself has a unique voice that matches well with the songs.

But for me that is not the most important part. The thing I like most about this album is that I feel like every single song comes straight from Lights' heart. Unlike most artists, Lights doesn't have to rely on thousands of different songwriters to write her songs for her. Instead she is able to pen deep, meaningful songs that everyone can relate to. If you like pop music but are tired of listening to artists who can't even put the pen to paper and write something that you can relate to, buy this album IMMEDIATELY. You will not regret it!

Standout tracks: Drive My Soul, Saviour, Face Up, Lions!, The Listening

Such a great album from a debut artist! I first heard Lights when she showed up on my radio station with "Saviour". I first wanted to listen to it but decided to pass. When "Second Go" came on the radio, I was interested again. When I picked up the album in July, I was amazed with the quality. Lights has a pure voice that's pretty rare in this genre. Yes, she utilizes auto-tune in some songs, but not to the extent of recent artists (namely Ke$ha). It's just a lighthearted, honest tone that emphasizes the sometimes melancholy atmosphere the album provides. Her synth is also a force to be reckoned with too: It complements her faster tracks, and gives a soothing vibe for the slower ones. By the end of the album, you're left with a feeling of sadness yet mixed with hope. Her poignant lyrics also make this album a sweet treat.
I guess the only fault I see in this album is the fact that it's different; which isn't a bad thing, it just means that many of the Gaga/Cyrus/Ke$ha audience will pass on such a great CD. I recommend buying it ASAP.

Key Tracks:
Second Go
Saviour
Pretend (Original as well as Reprise)
River
Ice

You are the hottest voice ever! I love everything about her songs... I'm totally obsessed with her catchy tracks and uhhhhhh, I just melt listening to her. Anyways, I totally dig "The Listening" track as well as "Savior". Lights forever! I hope to see her live someday. Come to Cali!

This young woman is absolutely amazing. I'm very picky when it comes to music, but I love every song she's recorded. I saw her live a couple weeks ago, and her performance was flawless. The other interesting thing-- her album has the electronic versions of her songs, which are superb; her website offers guitar acoustic versions of some which are equally superb yet totally different; then her live show is more like a rock concert-- different again, yet one of the best I've ever seen (and I'm long enough in the tooth to have seen a lot). She is also extremely nice in person and talented beyond belief!

Valerie Poxleitner has truly given us all a gift here. This writer/performer from Toronto has crafted a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful collection of songs. Refreshingly real and human in her writing and possessing a clever ability to bring forth catchy pop tracks, this is a welcome combination we never find enough of. I too downloaded the EP and am very happy with the actual, full CD. Listen to the samples and if you are at all moved, get this music into your collection as soon as possible.

So everyone has a pop sounding album with the cute-voice and teen lilt thing going on - but this one is different. Lights exhibits vocal talent, and versatility for one thing. None of her songs are about rampant breeding behavior. Most of the songs are thoughtful and have meaning if mostly to people in that age range. All songs are listenable and uplifting, the mixing and mastering are professional in the extreme and you will hear some very catchy and memorable songs that you will look forward to popping up on your MP3 player.
Also, I think if you like Gwen Stephani's new music, Lily Allen, or VonStrenge's voice from Dune, you will very much like this album.
If this is what she does on her first release, I cannot wait for her next one.
Really polished for a first foray in a tough, crowded genre and you will be able to say "I knew her when" because she's gonna be a big name in American pop.
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There are very few CD's that I will put in my player and listen to all the way through and this is one of them. It's soothing and kinda makes me happy to listen to. The vocals are great. I would recommend this to everybody. I hope you will enjoy this as much as I do.