Blackpool Lights - This Town's Disaster
Release Date: June 20, 2006
Record Label: Curb Appeal Records
Blackpool Lights’ charter release, This Town’s Disaster, has something distinctly special built into the fiber of the music itself. Leaning hard on some of our most basic emotions such as love, regret, and being jaded in the whirlwind world of today, many might write this CD off as just another pop-punk flavor of the week. Those who do are doing themselves a disservice and ignoring one of the most endearing releases of 2006.
“When I stare at you/I can see right through/and it doesn’t look pretty” remarks Jim Suptic in the wildly expositional anthem “It’s Never About What It’s About.” Suptic takes over lead vocals for Blackpool Lights, a change of pace from his lead guitar role with the renowned late-90’s emo kings, The Get Up Kids. What is so powerful about songs like this one is the war between Suptic’s vocals and prolific drummer Billy Brimblecom’s kit time for control; ultimately, it ends up pleasing yet just as sharp and emotional as anything The Get Up Kids ever wrote. The difference is that Blackpool Lights tend to focus on upbeat, well-crafted pop-rock as opposed to TGUK’s passive yet fundamentally kitschy songs (and I saw that as a longtime fan of the latter). The next two tracks (“The Truth About Love” and “Goodbye To Romance”) play like a single woven story about shallow relationships and moving past them. Jarringly tragic yet hopeful is the name of the game for the more emotional songs on This Town’s Disaster.
“Crash Sounds” is the requisite ballad on the album, and it plays surprisingly well. Flash back toward the beginning of the album for two of my favorites, “Blue Skies”—the lead single, and “Empty Tank.” These two are a perfect introduction to Blackpool Lights for the uninitiated, and after just a few listens move the listener to crave more. Both songs are far catchier than they have a right to be, and that proves just how solid of songwriters the musicians in Blackpool Lights really are.
While This Town’s Disaster won’t contribute to defining a genre of music, unlike The Get Up Kids’ paramount release, Something To Write Home About, it promises a fun ride for thirty-eight minutes that might just get you nostalgic, contemplative, and will leave you undoubtedly wanting more. I personally cannot stop listening to this CD; give them the opportunity and Blackpool Lights will hook you too. This Town’s Disaster is undoubtedly a Top 5 release of 2006, and Blackpool Lights are one of the best bands you may not yet have heard this year.
hmm, i agree with some of what you said, but i personally don't think it's as good as you make out. id say it wes more around 75% or something. its not that immediate, and lacks true standout tracks. apart from 'the truth about love'.
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