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Progland was founded by John Gabbard in 2005. It's purpose has been to provide you, the music community with the latest music and dvd reviews. It will continue to be your link to the most popular music reviews in the progressive world.

 

(League Of Lights) - "ST"

Reviewed by:

"Philip Wooldridge"- (Ravenheart Music)

Genre:
(Female Fronted) {Rock/Symphonic-Metal}-(Music)
Country:
UK
Length:
NA
Release Date:
2011
Band Members: Farrah West: vocals Richard West: keyboards
  Ruud Jolie: guitars Mark Zonder: drums
  Jerry Meehan: bass
     
Track Listing: 1.)-I'm Alive
9.)-Cool Of The Day
  2.)-Cover Me Now
10.)-Heaven Sent A Star
  3.)- Last Sunset  
  4.)- Half Light  
  5.)-Ambertown  
  6.)-You Light My Way  
  7.)- Don't Leave Me Behind  
  8.)-Animé  

Review:

League of Lights, created around gorgeous singer Farrah West, is very much a league of leading lights in contemporary music, masterminded by Threshold keyboarder and husband Richard West with Ruud Jolie from the mighty Within Temptation on guitar, Fates Warning's drummer Mark Zonder and bassist Jerry Meehan who has played with such luminaries as Robbie Williams, Chris de Burgh and Brian Ferry. They describe themselves as “a modern melodic rock group with 80's pop sensibilities”, I would interpret that as a mix of Wetton/Downes Icon melodic rock, Guy Chamber's knack for a great tune, a hint of Bangles catchiness and a spot of modern prog here and there resulting in fresh, vibrant and sumptuous symphonic rock framing Farrah's wonderful effortless understated vocals. She sings the songs beautifully and emotively without ever resorting to any wailing or screaming, relying on tone, timbre, melody and clarity rather than most vocalists today who feel the need to over sing, the very opposite of what I call the “X Factor burst a blood-vessel style”. Richard's crystal clear production allows you to hear every nuance of the music, power is applied with restraint and at exactly the right moments, the sound is subtle instead of bombastic, very different to Within Temptations 80's infused 'The Unforgiving' which might appear on paper very similar, especially with Ruud playing on both, the yin to their yang. Lyrically they also remind me of Icon, where John Wetton's lyrics are far more personal than those for Asia, dealing with life, faith, hope and love, “The artists paints the day, A story to be told, And everything you need, Is there for you to hold” (Animé). The songs are draped in lush luxurious string sounds, full of memorable choruses, laden with hooks, decorated by Richards piano and modern keyboards, and imbued with Ruud's crunchy but not metal rhythm guitars and occasional trademark chordal leads. They offer a balanced blend of more up-tempo, up-beat tunes like 'I'm Alive', 'Cover Me Now' and 'Heaven Sent a Star', punctuated at regular intervals by delightful reflective ballads such as 'Last Sunset' and 'You Light My Way'. Given the right push and airplay this superbly written, performed and produced album could be massive in the mainstream, it has that right mix of outstanding musicianship and accessible songs that will appeal to a very broad spectrum of rock music lovers, as well as prog and metal fans thanks to their lineage. If you like top quality sophisticated melodic rock then light your way to their league at http://www.leagueoflights.com/ , the album is also available from CD Baby, a most illuminating 9 out of 10.

 

 

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