Aloha
Light Works EP
2007 | Polyvinyl Records
Light Works is an end of year thank you for the fans from Aloha.
Initially I was going to be really tough on this album.The power of
their last album, Some Echoes, was at a much higher, if not poppier,
intensity. Light Works is mellower, but has slumped somehow. The
moodiness of the songs detracts from the ambiance they are trying to
create. There are attempts at creating a soft soundscape, but over
production makes it sounds flat on several tracks. After the first
song, "Body Buzz", it gets shaky, with the lyrics feeling juvenile.
"The End" fortunately picks the album back up. It's melodic with a down
beat tempo that reminds me of Grandaddy, what with the cracking voice
from singer Tony Cavallario. The song produces an uncontrollable urge
to tap your feet and sing along. "Passengers" also feels stronger and
more complete. Admittedly, Aloha made some improvisation in the
recording studio, and while this "free spiritedness" sometimes works,
many of the tracks feel incomplete.
The
improvisation here may have ambled on for too long at times, however
the several tracks that stand out should really be listened to. I'd
recommend "Body Buzz", "The End", and "Passengers".
-Elana Rintala
(Looking for something similar? Try these bands: Band of Horses, Beulah
The event calendar requires Javascript.
