Former triple j unearthed feature artist of the week LAMPLIGHT recently released LP number two, in the form of this self-titled album. It is a journey across the seas, shrouding the listener in beautiful eeriness whilst transporting them to a world cloaked in mystery. So when you find out that two tracks (“Swallowing the key” and “Image House”) were recorded in an old Victorian Gaol, it tends to make sense.
This innovative idea forms a precedent as to what you are in store for on this old-time nautically-themed album, that verily thrashes and crashes like stormy waves here and lulls like waters there. It is an astounding journey of lush musical arrangement and glorious endearing motifs. From sweet lullabies to rousing crescendos, the band deliver soaring vocal harmonies that cushion the music’s moody alternative rock undertones. It is, overall, a rather splendid affair.
This is a sophisticated sound, a sound track to a red wine swilling 30-somethings dinner party if you will – The strings are beautiful and are the perfect bedfellow for vocalist Mijo Biscan’s impressively aching pipes. They describe themselves as a smaller Polyphonic Spree or the Australian Rufus Wainright – but if you can imagine the Dirty Three with some early Augie March thrown in with Jeff Buckley and an angel sharing the vocals, washed in a bath of overwhelming – You might be getting close.
