The Strange Lights “Evius” Review
The Strange Lights, a band made up of members from local heavy hitters First Communion Afterparty and Bridge Club (RIP), have recently put out their debut EP, titled Evius. Like both the aforementioned bands, The Strange Lights music is droning and a highly psychedelic affair with pop undertones flowing throughout the whole project. The disc has a vintage, acid-fried feel to it, ranging from the song names (“Walking Shadows,” “Planet Vesuvius”) to its swirling guitar and the echoing vocals. Lead singer and guitar player Joe Werner, along with former Bridge Club band mate Bill Rammer, do their part in bringing in their noisy garage rock to the mix and help to create a more balanced recorded effort than has come out so far from First Communion Afterparty, who often let their Sonic Youth and Brian Jonestown Massacre fascinations lead them to create meandering and overblown songs that lose listeners’ attention on record. The four song EP, clocking in at just over 15 minutes, ranges from the more mellow, noodling guitar songs like opener “Walking Shadows” to the more searing “Zombie Boots,” which has a both a psychedelic and Brit Pop feel to it. Album closer “Planet Vesuvious” sounds like a lost outtake from the best stuff Black Rebel Motorcycle Club has created. Both Bridge Club and First Communion Afterparty are well known for their explosive life shows, so I am expecting very good things from this band, who have a couple of shows at the end of the month. No news on a full length or more shows after January, but The Strange Lights are definitely a Minneapolis based band to keep your eye on.
For those of you who get confused by this band Strange Lights, there is another Strange Lights from the mountain town of Crestone Colorado established in the year 2000. They can be found on their website http://www.strangelights.net as well as myspace, facebook, etc. Thanks!