DARKER YET EFFERVESCENT
September 2005
LUMIERE - IT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD IDEA AT THE TIME
First of all, let me just say that I am thrilled to have finally got the
album (and twice as long too!) that I wished for last December, although
the news of Lumiere’s premature demise does put a damper on things!
Twenty two songs (some familiar, others less so!) spread over two discs
takes a while to absorb, particularly with offerings from Johnny Cash,
Fursaxa, Editors and Van Morrison all jostling for their turn on my CD
player. It is however almost a month to the day that this album was
launched with a big bang and (what a) performance by the band at Poxx
Bar, so it seemed like a good idea to share a few thoughts about the
final product!
After a handful of EP’s (none present here but still available) that
along with some vibrant live performances, slowly but surely built up
Lumiere’s reputation and popularity to possibly the best band on the
island right now (live and on record!), ‘It seemed like a good idea…’
candidly reflects the changes that have been going on in the Lumiere
camp in terms of influence, inspiration, application and songwriting.
Outside of current single Remembrance of Lovers Past and The Fox and the
Weasel in fact, this album is intended less for the chart-orientated
listener, more for those with an alternative gusto and a broad horizon
of musical preferences.
This alternative twist is incidentally also what makes the album so
alluring. The way that Lumiere blend unusual melodies with (often) dark,
brooding musical arrangements and effervescent textures, gives the songs
a unique character. Moreover, the fact that it is virtually impossible
to categorise Lumiere under any one particular genre adds to the music’s
appeal, and echoes of various artists (Bunnymen, Cure, Mark Hollis,
Pumpkins, etc) spring to mind with each and every song. Deep down
however, the powerful guitarwork, intricate arrangements and the vocal
element, to which Mario applies himself passionately whether he is
mumbling away in the background (On Every Cloud), dishing out measured
harmonies (Under A Tuscan Sky) or letting it all out (Warm Sheets Cold
Feet), blend together to give it all an unmistakeable timbre that could
only be Lumiere!
Read our review of Lumiere's first EP here
Read our review of Lumiere's classic St. James concert here
Recommended weblink: www.lumieremusic.com
