'Maximalism'is the long awaited EP from Stuart Rowe's lovechild; Lighterthief, on local legend Andy Partridge's Ape record label.
Stu Rowe has previously been described as the Willy Wonka of Record Production' and I can think of nothing more fitting, he offers the golden ticket. But it would seem with the release of Maximalism, he's given it to himself.
If you've not heard of Lighterthief, well I don't know where you've been or what you've been doing but it's time to sit up and take notice.
Lighterthief is a band/project/mindwarp? that takes a cherry pick of the most talented local artists from all walks of the music world, puts them in a blender and hits pulse for a good 4 and a half minutes each time. And although it might sound messy and not very appetizing, I’d happily dine on Lighterthief alone.
Their gigs have been consistent sell outs, and with the release of this EP, it really isn't hard to see why. And I must add it’s a great relief that Stuart and Co have managed to bring what they do so well on stage to the ITunes world.
The EP features 3 of the best lighterthief tracks, all of a really good length and a great recording quality, as to be expected. The first, the longest, is my favourite. 'Lover' with lead vocals by Julianne Bastock. Such a serene beautiful voice in such bizarre, idiosyncratic surroundings with undertones of Arabian nights is a rare thing, and even rarer thing to find to be enjoyable.
Next up is Falling into the Future with Andy Partridge on lead vocals. The inclusion of such a musical legend is testament enough to the standard of Lighterthief. And this track just goes to second that. The beginning of the track resembling a LOST ident, builds tension until a single bell brings in the vocals, instruments, and 4 and a half minutes of wonderment. Andy has a lovely smooth voice that is perfect for this track. A track more akin to falling down the rabbit hole than anything else I've ever heard.
And finally All Done Things with lead vocals by Pause. Break. Riots' Bozley. This is my least favourite track of the EP; I'm not crazy about Bozley's vocals, but strangely enough one of my favourite tracks they do live, which is in essence the beauty of Lighterthief. Lyrically a great track with brilliantly timed and produced samples from other artists. Definitely one to be enjoyed live so you can get up and move your feet in the now traditional lighterthief scuffle.
I say this every time I write a review of an EP or Band I'm fond of, but I've never meant it more than now; Lighterthief are something not to be read about, or even talked about. They're to be experienced, listened to, marveled at and loved. Buy this EP, get to a gig, and in a few years time join me in saying 'I saw them live in Swindon once...'
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