Lanterns On The Lake - Beings
8/10
Newcastle's Lanterns On The Lake have been around for a while. This, their third album, is dreampop with a side order of post-rock and a dash of straight indie.
From opener Of Dust And Matter onwards, the music is influenced by the Cocteau Twins, Mogwai, Talk Talk, Sigur Ros, label mates Snowbird and former tour mates Explosions In The Sky. At times, there are hints of the "big music" of the likes of Coldplay but without the empty gestures and vacuous grandstanding. LOTL's not so secret weapon is Hazel Wilde. Most dreampop vocalists have weak voices or get buried in the mix. Wilde, on the other hand is a great singer and is suitably pushed up in the mix. For the most part, the music is dark and almost brooding but there are moments of wonder that make me want to throw my arms in the air and just sway. This is an album that works on many levels. It rewards listening on headphones in a darkened room but it doesn't have to have your full attention. It works just as well as a background to working or doing the house work.
8/10
