Screaming Lights - Phenomena/Grandfather Clock

The thundering heartbeat bassline and guitar-layering reeks of 80s desolation, like Peter Hook's sweaty armpit.

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Released 7 Apr 2009 | Anti | By Anna Dobbie | Rating: 3
Screaming Lights - Phenomena/Grandfather Clock

There's no getting away from it -Screaming Lights are derivative, but then, isn't all music derivative to a certain degree? The influences of various other doomy indie bands are proudly pushed to the forefront, but there is very little development from the White Lies/Interpol/Joy Division/Editors formula to make the Liverpool four-piece stand out.

'Phenomena''s thundering heartbeat bassline and guitar-layering reeks of 80s desolation, like Peter Hook's sweaty armpit, while in 'Grandfather Clock', singer James Treadell bears tidings of woe over a slightly faster, piano-driven stab at early Coldplay. Previous double A-sides, marchingly-mediocre 'Glow' and listlessly-synthy 'GMN', are tacked on the end to bulk it out. I guess it is hard to stay chipper in the current economic climate, but a little creativity wouldn't go amiss.

Releases at HMV | Downloads at 7Digital | Tickets from Seetickets

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