It’s hard for me to find different ways to exude my enthusiasm for Make Me Believe In Hope, the debut album by Bright Light Bright Light, after raving about Rod Thomas’ many talents over the past two years plus. He has literally cornered the market for smart emotional/lyrical electronic pop music that is only rivalled by several Swedish performers who have their own take on that style. There are five new songs on Believe In Hope, including the retro-pop/dance of “Feel It” which I showcased last week.
“Immature” is a great song for anyone in their 20’s to listen to. There’s always a turning point in our 20’s where you wonder why you acted or did things the way you did. Rod captures the spirit of those instances so well and so very thoughtfully. “Moves” is a potential dance floor banger with a 90s electronica inspired melody where you can visualize a couple gracefully commanding the dance floor. “Debris” is a brief quite pause near the end of the record like that moment at the end of a long evening where you know the night is basically done and wonder what’ s going to happen next. And “Grace” is such a classy way to inspire hope and moving on while at the same time remaining true to who you are.
With these songs adding to the splendid mix that includes the previously released “Love Part II’, “A New Word To Say”, “Disco Moment”, “Waiting for The Feeling”, “Cry “At Films”, and “How To Make A Heart”, Make Me Believe In Hope will find Bright Light Bright Light on many Best of 2012 lists at year end.
Below, listen to Rod’s playful mashup “Disco Respect”, as well as a sparkling remix of “Waiting For The Feeling” by Vinnie Vero and Steve Migliore.
“Hollywood” by RAC featuring Penguin Prison
Chris Glover of Penguin Prison is one busy guy. Besides relentless touring with Miike Snow (pic above from his May 1 show in Toronto) and Class Actress, DJing at festival such as Bonnaroo, and remixing everyone notable under the sun including Jamiroquai, Lana Del Rey, Ellie Goulding and more, he’s now showing up as a featured performer as vocalist on this song by RAC, who previously remixed Penguin Prison’s “The Worse It Gets”. And “Hollywood” has a similar 70’s pop vibe that tells a story around an instantly catchy chorus. I got to hear the band perform the song the other night at a high energy small club show in Toronto, which now makes me want a remix! Penguin Prison also does a killer live version of Lana Del Rey’s “Blue Jeans”. Take a listen to Penguin Prison’s remix of “It’s Time” by Imagine Dragons below.
Amanda Palmer and the Grand Theft Orchestra “Do It With A Rockstar”
I had not really heard of New York born, Boston-based singer Amanda Palmer before her amazingly successful recent Kickstarter launch for her upcoming CD. She was previously noted for leading the Dresden Dolls and for establishing ‘punk rock cabaret’. “Do It With A Rockstar” is noteworthy as a precursor for her new project but also for its reverence to the post 80’s punk-new wave sounds by the likes of Lene Lovich, Cyndi Lauper, Romeo Void, and others, though the song’s attitude and lyrics reside mid-70’s through influences of the glam and punk rock eras, with a reference point for me being David Bowie. It’s an engaging record, full of great lyrics, not to everyone’s taste, but recommended to those with a sense of adventure outside of the pop bubble and don’t mind some sneer in their pop veneer. Get it as a free download from Amanda’s website with an email subscription and listen below.
Rebecca Ferguson “Nothing’s Real But Love”
While we don’t hear much about the success of UK X-Factor contestants over here, 2nd place finisher (to Matt Cardle) Rebecca Ferguson seems to be one of those unique voices that only comes along once in a while and appears destined for the same club that includes Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, and Alicia Keys. “Nothing’s Real But Love” is nothing new, but a simple and direct showcase (co-written by the singer) for a voice that will absolutely wow you. It was recently an iTunes store freebie and now I can’t wait to hear what she has to offer on her new release Heaven. Watch below.
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