Lover

Falling Into the Future

All Done Things

Produced by Stuart Rowe

Mixed by Stuart Rowe and Andy Partridge

Mastered by Dave Angel

Maximalism Promo Video

Reviews

'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...'

http://jobradley.blogspot.com/

The release, at the end of last year, that went under the name of Stutter Drop was a strange beast. In Stuart Rowes usually experimental style, it presented us with a morphed series of sound bites from his current works in progress, a teaser of things to come. As well as being available in the traditional CD format, as an e.p. Maximalism, an arrangement with Andy Partridge's APE label has meant that these three finished songs have become available as downloads.

As soon as Lover pours from the speakers, you know that you are in the familiar, yet unexpected world of Lighterthief. Industrial electronic sounds, middle eastern vibes, blues guitars and the dulcet and silk cocooned tones of Julianne Bastocks vocals weave an exotic and strange tapestry. Falling into the Future takes a different tack, a funky paradiddleing jazz beat lays the foundation for a soul ladened collision of muted trumpets, futuristic electronica and jazz harmonies. You can never take Lighterthief for granted and even when you think they have attempted top mix up every combination of genre going, they present you with a wholly new recipe.

The trippy beats, descending riffs and vocal washes that open up All Done Things would sound at home on the Incubation album, and musically it hits the same high standards of that ground breaking release. I can't help feeling that the vocals however let it down slightly. On the one hand they bring in that blues element that made songs like The Trumpet Player so great and there has always been a warped grunged up blues element to a lot of Stu's guitar work. Here it just seems to be a bit derivative and unimaginative. That is the joy of Lighterthief however, there is always something a bit different round the corner and with the amount of different elements that get thrown into the mix, you aren't going to like everything.

Overall however, it is still a great release. The songs are as strong, immediate and experimental as ever, mixing futuristic sounds with traditional styles and adding to the unique appeal to Lighterthief.

Dave Franklin

http://mmamblighterthief.blogspot.com/

Maximalism EP by Lighterthief aka Stuart Rowe Out on Ape Records The opening track, Lover, with powerful lead vocals by Julianne Bastock, conjures up a siren of mythology calling across time. She is luring the unwary, all exotic and filled with wonder. Evocative and taunting drums herald the fascination of the snake charmer from the east, before the psychedelic veiled curtain of guitar falls. Lover then moves into electronic trance, haunting and scary with a deep space-like feel that makes you expect Mr Spock to appear at any moment.

Falling into the Future with XTC’s Andy Partridge on lead vocals, opens with bird song and strings, closely followed by some subtle jazz drums. Andy has a distinctive, chocolate brown voice that soars over the close harmony of the backing singers. There is some lush sax and an improv solo of modern jazz. There are no barriers or restraints to this track, the musicians simply go for a wander to see where the path leads. And, it leads to a smokey bar in the heart of historic New Orleans and the haunting sounds of the sax flowing across the darkened room. On this journey we find ourselves listening to the whispered voices, other worldly and creepy before the Andy’s vocals reassure us that the hero is still around. His voice soars above the whispers quieting the fears and telling the story in sound and song.

All Done Things with lead vocals by Pause. Break. Riots' Bozley, is much of a rock track with keyboards, angel choir and solid rock drums and vocals. It is harder edged and devilish - he always has the best music. The guitar is let loose on this track but the drums still take overall control of the beat.

This experimental music EP is the brainchild of drummer and technician Stuart Rowe and is testament to some weird and wonderful imaginings and creative use of studio effects mixed with musical expertise. -

Flicky Harrison

Swindon Evening Advertiser