It’s not uncommon to describe a band based on the influences heard on their CD. However, as peculiar as this may sound, in the case of White Light Riot, the only way to describe them is, well, they sound like White Light Riot.
That’s not to say the influences aren’t there on the band’s new EP, “The Dark Is Light Enough,” (produced by Eric Appelwick) but the end result is six tracks that are impressive indie rock. Each song is polished, with solid musicianship and smartly written, equally easy to listen to on the radio, as they would be to dance to in the clubs.
The first track, “Bitter Beginning,” includes a hint of Brit pop (“found that your beginning was an end”) and “Stars” has an 80s electronica flavor. “Out Of Sight” is the strongest musically with its electro beat at the intro (“I try to keep myself from jumping out of my skin/I try to think of you but my mind doesn’t win...you were out of sight and I’m out of my mind”). “Illusions” is lyrically the best as it offers up a clever play on words and combines it with plaintive vocals (“it’s a fantasy with expectations...these illusions leave the wrong impression”). The last track, “Tuning Out,” is ethereal sounding at the onset; it transcends dreamily into a nice solid bassline and its fluidity makes the listener forget it comes in at more than seven minutes.
“The Dark Is Light Enough” is a nice sample of what White Light Riot’s capable of – let’s hope for a full-length CD next time. CM
www.whitelightriot.com
|
