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07/20/08, 08:56 PM
The Morning Light - The Sounds of Love
Record Label: Fearless Records
Release Date: June 2007 (independently); March 4, 2008 (Fearless reissue)
I’m usually fairly weary of bands who, at shows, attempt to pressure me into buying their records. I usually try to smile politely and pretend I'm looking for a friend as an excuse, because I'm cheap. But when I was handed The Sounds of Love and asked to please consider purchasing it, I pulled out my wallet without question. Pittsburgh-based The Morning Light completely captivated me with their sing-a-long inspiring choruses and their easy pop sound.
The six-song EP begins with “The Love,” a melodic acoustic track accompanied perfectly by keyboardist/vocalist Harrison Wargo’s piano. Lead singer Bobby Garver and Wargo trade off vocals throughout the songs, and the difference of their respective pitches complements each other. With the lovelorn, albeit catchy, “You’re Not Mine,” the band takes a usual subject - unrequited love - and projects a subtle musical maturity beyond most of their peers.
The angry “Books and Letters” features standout lyrical work with “And I’m writing books through letters, that I’m sure you’ll never read / And I’m searching through a postcard to find any trace of me.” Every song has a hook, (especially the sunny "Clouds") and while its lyrics may be darker then its musical accompaniment, it shines with its catchiness, added to by a “ba da da bop” chorus and jangling guitars. Final number “The Sounds” stands out; its ending wraps up the record with a loop intertwined with every song’s chorus.
Even though The Sounds of Love is the band’s first EP, the simple melodies it offers are enough to gather the fan base it deserves. Theirs is one of the few that I can listen to entirely without wanting to skip a song and each track is contagiously appealing. Their self-titled first full-length, due on September 23rd, is on my list of most anticipated for 2008 - I doubt I'll be disappointed.
Jack's Mannequin, Dashboard Confessional, piano rock with an indie twist
myspace.com/themorninglight (http://www.myspace.com/themorninglight)
Record Label: Fearless Records
Release Date: June 2007 (independently); March 4, 2008 (Fearless reissue)
I’m usually fairly weary of bands who, at shows, attempt to pressure me into buying their records. I usually try to smile politely and pretend I'm looking for a friend as an excuse, because I'm cheap. But when I was handed The Sounds of Love and asked to please consider purchasing it, I pulled out my wallet without question. Pittsburgh-based The Morning Light completely captivated me with their sing-a-long inspiring choruses and their easy pop sound.
The six-song EP begins with “The Love,” a melodic acoustic track accompanied perfectly by keyboardist/vocalist Harrison Wargo’s piano. Lead singer Bobby Garver and Wargo trade off vocals throughout the songs, and the difference of their respective pitches complements each other. With the lovelorn, albeit catchy, “You’re Not Mine,” the band takes a usual subject - unrequited love - and projects a subtle musical maturity beyond most of their peers.
The angry “Books and Letters” features standout lyrical work with “And I’m writing books through letters, that I’m sure you’ll never read / And I’m searching through a postcard to find any trace of me.” Every song has a hook, (especially the sunny "Clouds") and while its lyrics may be darker then its musical accompaniment, it shines with its catchiness, added to by a “ba da da bop” chorus and jangling guitars. Final number “The Sounds” stands out; its ending wraps up the record with a loop intertwined with every song’s chorus.
Even though The Sounds of Love is the band’s first EP, the simple melodies it offers are enough to gather the fan base it deserves. Theirs is one of the few that I can listen to entirely without wanting to skip a song and each track is contagiously appealing. Their self-titled first full-length, due on September 23rd, is on my list of most anticipated for 2008 - I doubt I'll be disappointed.
Jack's Mannequin, Dashboard Confessional, piano rock with an indie twist
myspace.com/themorninglight (http://www.myspace.com/themorninglight)