Musically speaking, Micah Lewis (guitar / vocals), Zach Mabry (drums)
and Stevie Kugelberg (bass) march to a different drummer. As Lightmusic
they channel so many genres and musical tones that their music is hard
to describe. I caught them at a local show opening up for Future Islands
and their set was on the far opposite side of mainstream. The EP Remain Unshared
(Demo) features songs that contain many surprising melodic twists and
compositional turns (as well as a different drummer - Greg Brown). The
songs freely shift genres and tones. They are supremely dynamic with
sounds that ebb and flow between trancy sparkly guitar and explosive
avant garde art rock. It is like the compositions are passive aggressive
or bipolar. Throw some strangely obtuse lyrics in this mix and you have
sounds that can both perplex and amaze.
Case in point: "Genius Boy" (one of my favorites), starts with pretty picking guitar as bass and drums tightly wrap around Micah Lewis singing in an almost late 40's crooner style, "I saw a bird with no branch she'd given up her nesting and given three red eggs... they are gonna grow and kill each other" and later, "I'm jealous of the genius boy... he walks along, he walks along so easy". These punk jazz vignettes, for lack of a better term, are sewn together with more rockish / almost northern California surf country strains. Midway through on the chorus (or recurring refrain) Micah sings, "you'll be loved like a dove" and the rest is magical as the guitar melody takes over and lifts you up out of your seat. The bass, drums and lead work support each other so well not only musically but emotionally. It is downright beautiful stuff, strangely enchanting. Like many of the compositions on Remain Unshared you are left wondering what you just experienced. The lyrics seem to be stream of consciousness or the stuff that fever dreams are made of and the music takes wonderful detours without sounding disjointed.
Case in point: "Genius Boy" (one of my favorites), starts with pretty picking guitar as bass and drums tightly wrap around Micah Lewis singing in an almost late 40's crooner style, "I saw a bird with no branch she'd given up her nesting and given three red eggs... they are gonna grow and kill each other" and later, "I'm jealous of the genius boy... he walks along, he walks along so easy". These punk jazz vignettes, for lack of a better term, are sewn together with more rockish / almost northern California surf country strains. Midway through on the chorus (or recurring refrain) Micah sings, "you'll be loved like a dove" and the rest is magical as the guitar melody takes over and lifts you up out of your seat. The bass, drums and lead work support each other so well not only musically but emotionally. It is downright beautiful stuff, strangely enchanting. Like many of the compositions on Remain Unshared you are left wondering what you just experienced. The lyrics seem to be stream of consciousness or the stuff that fever dreams are made of and the music takes wonderful detours without sounding disjointed.
The first track, "Memories of Anna" also has a
diverse and varied landscape but locks into a more solid alternative art
rock vibe. The beat and bass is deliciously straight forward and brings
to mind bands like The Pixies and early Talking Heads. I absolutely
love this song. The vibe it creates feel like that post punk era
circa 1978 to 1984. "Leave Me Alone" lulls you into a sleepy cozy state
during the intro, "Pick me a color that matches my eyes (2x)... we
painted our faces" - and then the chorus jams big with sonically staccato charged guitars. Lightmusic is not content to go back to the
first verse progression after the chorus but picks a different one. I
don't think I have ever heard this happen before (or was it an early
bridge??). Who cares. It is daring and it works. "Mercury" has a languid
drug hazy feel limping along like a Lou Reed ballad propelled by tom
toms, lazy guitar, sleepy bass and whistled melodies. Micah's vox are soaked in a
big room reverb which only adds to the foggy feel. The last track on Remain Unshared is called "Knock Out" and sadly is only ambient sounds and silence.
Remain Unshared (Demo) by Lightmusic is one of the most original and daring (while still thoroughly listenable) albums I have heard in the last 5 years. The fluid sense of style shifting appeals to me and the use of dynamics to push and pull the emotional arc of the songs makes each one feel like a movie of sorts, like there is an interesting story behind all the musical mayhem. Seek out Remain Unshared, push play, close your eyes and enjoy the sounds (and images) coalescing in your brain.
-
Robb Donker
Remain Unshared (Demo) by Lightmusic is one of the most original and daring (while still thoroughly listenable) albums I have heard in the last 5 years. The fluid sense of style shifting appeals to me and the use of dynamics to push and pull the emotional arc of the songs makes each one feel like a movie of sorts, like there is an interesting story behind all the musical mayhem. Seek out Remain Unshared, push play, close your eyes and enjoy the sounds (and images) coalescing in your brain.
-
Robb Donker
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