Bell X1-Blue Lights on the Runway

9th August 2009

This post was written by Benji

Though perhaps you’ve never heard of them before, Irish collective Bell X1 are no rookies. Their fourth proper LP Blue Lights on the Runway hit this side of the Atlantic back in March, but they are just starting to pick up steam now (i.e. I hadn’t heard about them until a couple of weeks ago). Blue Lights is really a celebration of rock, a vast foray into the old and the new that culminates in one damn good album.

I’m not sure what to make of the aviation theme going on with Bell X1 but it’s certainly something worth looking into. Perhaps its the immense space created by the album–its lazy basslines wading through the air 30,000 feet up, its tinkly dusting of high-pitched ebony and ivory peeling the corners back. “The Great Defector” sounds like an unintentional homage to Led Zeppelin that begins ominous but explodes into a delightfully cheerful and brilliant chorus of “I love the color of it all”. “Amelia” is an achingly sweet rock ballad that relies heavily of gentle vocals to complement the airy piano and synths. “Amelia” bleeds into the ethereal and genuine “A Better Band”, whose captivating bassline proves true as the vocal harmonies and subtle cowbell drive the track forward. The cheeky “Breastfed” is certainly the loudest track on Blue Lights, showing that they can rock it out with the best of them. Though I’m still not entirely sure what it means for blue lights to be on the runway, I’m certainly not complaining–this album is a must-listen.

Get a copy of Blue Lights on the Runway. Go on now.

FREE DOWNLOAD from amazon: “The Great Defector”

Listen to “Amelia”

Listen to “A Better Band“

This entry was posted on Sunday, August 9th, 2009 at 11:59 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

There are currently 2 responses to “Bell X1-Blue Lights on the Runway”

Why not let us know what you think by adding your own comment! Your opinion is as valid as anyone elses, so come on... let us know what you think.

1 On August 10th, 2009, tristanclopet said:
their music is so delicate, but energizing. i just love it. they should be playing arenas instead of U2!!!

posted on August 10th, 2009 at 8:51 am
2 On October 21st, 2009, David Teisler said:
Original, meaningful, and flippant lyrics embrace a great beat with David Byrne-like voice. Others have said they are reminiscent of the Talking Heads, and when I first heard them, I thougth it was later Byrne.

posted on October 21st, 2009 at 7:51 am

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