Sweet Lights - Sweet Lights Album Review

rating: 4

WebsiteFacebook Release date: 30th April 2012 Ex-Capitol Years and War On Drugs guitarist, Shai Halperin is used to performing in front of huge crowds at Glastonburyand for national radio stations such asBBCRadio 2. But now, Shai is going at it alone and has released his self-titled debut album under the moniker, Sweet Lights. He has enjoyed considerable success with The Capitol Years, touring the US with bands such as The Walkmen and the Pixies. Shai's cover of Daniel Johnston's True Love Will Find You in the End led to a good working relationship between the two, and The Capitol Years were welcomed to his tours regularly, as both a support band and Johnston's backing band. The tracks on this album are very easy to listen to, in particular, Message on the Wire. The skills Shai has is extremely clear, the guitar riffs are impressive and the lyrics very fitting with the general sound of the piece. The same can be said for Endless Town, which is a little more upbeat. One of my favourites is definitely Here Comes The Son. It is faultlessly crafted and to think the whole track and everything you hear is crafted by him, is honestly quite impressive. Personally, I found the titling of this track very clever and to me, it really sounded like Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles' George Harrison - but maybe I was just tricked by the title! This four-part song ends the album on a fantastic note. The lyrics and musical influences all merge together fluidly to produce an excellent track, and it€™s fitting that it ends the album. A great choice for a last track. His love for old classics is made clear through the album. He regularly references other works in his own music. Shai explained: "I was exploring a musical response to the past... not letting those songs just sit there, unresolved. I wanted to update things, as opposed to letting the music that influenced me exist in a vacuum and continue to haunt, inspire, or maybe aggravate." Tell Us All About It, at just 28 seconds long, is the shortest track on the album. I actually liked this one a lot - and only wished it could be longer. I think it makes a great start, and I'm hoping on his second album, he will be able to develop this song further. Endless Town is the album's lead single. It could be there to pay respects to Shai's hometown of Philadelphia, but the cleverly-worded lyrics make it truthful of any person's hometown. The single has been produced by the long time producer of both Kurt Vile and War on Drugs, Jeff Zeigler. The track is made up of twelve different layers of strings and acoustics and the complexity definitely pays off. http://youtu.be/MQ4YKUHQc3U Shai successfully puts his own twist on the classic elements of pop, ensuring our love for pop music is not comprised. His debut album is definitely relaxing and very easy listening, perfect for a relaxing day in the garden or at the beach.