LIGHTS: Live At The 9:30 Club

When I arrived at the venue, a line of eager bodies wrapped around the building.  The sun had already begun to set and the air was frozen by gusts of wind.  I was suddenly wishing I had worn at least two more coats and maybe a scarf.  Stretching down the block, a mass of people were waiting for LIGHTS to perform at the 9:30 Club in Washington DC.  As part of the Siberia Tour, March 5 was her night in the nation's capitol, and the show would surely be something to remember.

The doors opened at seven, as everyone rushed in to escape the cold.  The opening band, Ambassadors, wouldn't play until fifteen past eight, so that stretch of time allowed for a decent amount of excitement and anticipation to build.  When Ambassadors finally did come out, I was somewhat surprised.  They're definitely not the type of band that I would expect to see opening for an electro-pop artist.  They had energy and worked the crowd, but I feel like they would've been better appreciated at an alternative rock concert. Mismatch aside, the audience seemed to enjoy the act.

After Ambassadors played for a good forty minutes or so, the stage was cleared and set up for the main event.  At half past nine, the party started and everyone remembered why they were there.  The stage lights went full blast and the music picked up.  LIGHTS' set lifted off with her latest single, "Banner".  At most other shows that I've been to, the crowd never fails to make a rush towards the stage when they sense their favorite band is about to play.  I must say, this audience was one of the most considerate and polite that I've seen.  No pummeling surge or relentless moshing throughout the entire night.  The LIGHTS Army is a gentle kind.

The setlist dabbled back and forth between cuts off of LIGHTS' new record, Siberia, and old favorites from her debut.  The odd non-album track was also present.  She ran to and from synthesizers as the insanely catchy melodies filled the air.  You know how some people look completely different when you see them in person?  LIGHTS was identical to her album cover, wearing a red plaid button-up over a tank top and jeans.  Her standard combover mane was present as well.

The dubstep infused breakdowns found in a handful of her recent songs were magnified that night.  Strobes lit the club and worked the room on tracks like "Flux And Flow", "Suspension", and one of the highlights of her set, "Everybody Breaks A Glass".  Rap verses by Shad, which appear on the studio recordings, were replaced with instrumentals or an extended chorus.  Moments like these proved that if LIGHTS really felt like it, she could create one heavy album.

In contrast to the thicker electronic tracks, LIGHTS slowed down the set halfway through with the reprise of "Pretend".  The alternate piano version had arms waving in the air.  She followed this touching moment with a suitable rendition of "Face Up".  Just when this little ballad section started to settle in, a crunchy "Siberia" brought the pace back up.  I feel like balance is required for a successful concert.  If you leave one end of the show lopsided with slower tracks or pack every hit single one after another, you'll lose any sense of connection between the songs.  LIGHTS did an excellent job of weaving the tracks into an order that felt right.

The main set ended with "Toes", the lead single to Siberia.  She then took her exit for a mandatory break before the encore.  After a brief round of "LIGHTS!  LIGHTS!  LIGHTS!" chanting from the giddy crowd, she returned to the stage for two more songs.  First was a stellar performance of "Second Go", one of my absolute favorites from her first album, The Listening.  It served as the last call to scream along before the night ended.  To wrap up the evening, LIGHTS played a stripped down version of "Cactus In The Valley".  Accompanied by her acoustic guitar, it was the perfect way to say goodnight to DC.

LIGHTS knows how to put on one spectacular concert and I would gladly see her show again the next time she stops by.  It's pop enough to satisfy the Top 40 crowd, yet those who are into dance and electronic music will have a great time.  If you're interested in catching a concert, LIGHTS is still playing across the US as part of the Siberia Tour.  For a full list of tour dates and ticket info, including SXSW, you can find her schedule here.  To download Siberia go this way.  For any other inquiries about the Canadian songstress, head over to her website.

My Favorite Albums Of 2011: Part 3

It's New Year's Eve and this is officially the last post of 2011.  I've had a great year of blogging about the twists and turns of my musical life.  There were amazing albums and then there were some less fortunate records.  I had the chance to talk to some of you readers, which is always wonderful.  Many thanks to both the readers and the artists I was able to chat with and write about this year.

This post is also the last part of my "Favorite Albums Of 2011" list.  Just to refresh your mind, this is how the countdown is going so far...

Honorable Mentions

Active Child - You Are All I See

Alexander - Self Titled

Beyoncé - 4

Gotye - Making Mirrors

James Blake - Self Titled

The Joy Formidable - The Big Roar

Nicolas Jaar - Space Is Only Noise

SebastiAn - Total

St. Vincent - Strange Mercy

Zola Jesus - Conatus

Ellie Goulding - Lights

Top 20

Penguin Prison - Self Titled

Cults - Self Titled

Glasvegas - EUPHORIC /// HEARTBREAK \\\

Björk - Biophilia

Girls - Father, Son, Holy Ghost

Kimbra - Vows

CSS - La Liberación

Feist - Metals

Florence + The Machine - Ceremonials

The Black Keys - El Camino

Here's the remainder of the top twenty...

Patrick Wolf - Lupercalia

My summer was filled with Patrick Wolf's optimistic album.  I think this may be the best record he's released.  It focuses heavily on themes of love and friendship, basically the idea of a soulmate.  I absolutely loved this album for it's ability to capture those themes in a mature way.  It sounds real and that's why Lupercalia works so well.

The Kills - Blood Pressures

The Kills are one of the most stylish rock bands currently making music.  When you see or hear them, they're instantly recognizable.  Alison Mosshart is also leading the pack of female performers in rock music.  She fronts multiple bands without fault.  "Heavier" may not be the right word to describe Blood Pressures when comparing it to their last record.  Sure, it's heavy, but it mostly sounds fleshed out and full.  Blood Pressures is complete, ballads and all.

Mr. Dream - Trash Hit

Trash Hit is the debut album from Brooklyn's Mr. Dream.  They're a mix of punk rock and all of its pesky sub-genres.  You may think you've pegged them as one type of music, until they switch it up yet again.  This record has that "garage rock" production sound, and it also has some insanely catchy hooks.  I like to pop it on whenever I'm in the mood for some carefree, and a little crazy, music.

LIGHTS - Siberia

LIGHTS has come a long way since her light and airy debut album.  This time around, her music is heavier with less strictly pop elements and more electronic ventures.  She also tried her hand at the dubstep game, just barely.  Siberia's beats are crunchy and distorted, while the melodies remain as solid as ever.

Le Butcherettes - Sin Sin Sin

This band is one of my most exciting discoveries of 2011.  Le Butcherettes play insane political rock music.  Led by Teri Gender Bender, live shows often involve fake blood and sometimes include raw meat.  But it's not all stage antics.  Sin Sin Sin has raw power and sounds incredibly current.  I expect to see big things from Le Butcherettes in 2012.

M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming

Who hasn't heard "Midnight City" by now?  M83 wins the "catchiest synth melody of the year" award.  What's even better is that Hurry Up, We're Dreaming is just as solid.  I'm tempted to describe the record as "dreamy", but that's too obvious, isn't it?  That's really the first thought that comes to mind, though. The album is nostalgic and blurred, just like a dream.

Foo Fighters - Wasting Light

If you read my review of the Foo Fighters show I went to, then you already know how much I love this album.  The Foo Fighters have somehow managed to consistently release album after album without having a real dud mixed in there.  I can't say that for a decent amount of bands who started in the nineties.  Now the record is up for Album Of The Year at the Grammys.  2011 was a massive year for this band.

The time has arrived for some numerical rankings!  Those make everything more interesting, don't they?  Here are my three favorite albums of 2011...

3. Adele - 21

Yes, Adele.  She sort of dominated the world of music this year, and rightfully so.  21 is a mostly heartbroken collection of songs, all focused on the same guy.  You've probably already heard the record, seeing as it's the best selling album of the year.  If not, then I suggest you join the crowd.  

2. Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes

Each of my top three records have one thing in common, I never get tired of them.  No matter how many times I listened to Wounded Rhymes, I kept coming back for more.  I'm even guilty of multiple listens back to back.  That's a real feat.  Lykke Li's voice is just as demanding as the glare in her eyes.  No really, check out the music video for "Get Some".  Those eyes.

1. Lady Gaga - Born This Way

If you're a regular reader of the blog, this probably came as no surprise.  Otherwise, you may be shaking your head.  When it comes to current pop music, I place Lady Gaga above all.  I really do think she's ten steps ahead of the other pop stars and divas, just look at the cultural impact.  Born This Way's production is outrageous and the music is campy.  There's an overwhelming theme of self-impowerment mixed with feminism, sexuality, and equality.  Both Brian May and Clarence Clemons perform on the album.  At seventeen songs long, Born This Way is a wild ride on the back of that half-Gaga motorcycle, and that's why it's my favorite album of 2011.

As always, I love hearing what you think.  Did I forget any amazing records?  What are your favorite albums of 2011? Leave a comment and let me know!

LIGHTS - Everybody Breaks A Glass

Canadian electro-popper LIGHTS is due to release her sophomore album, Siberia, next month.  As the follow-up to her debut The Listening, Siberia features contributions from Shad and Holy F**k.  "Everybody Breaks A Glass" has been out since July, and while the official first single is "Toes", "Everybody Breaks A Glass" is LIGHTS' heaviest track yet.  Plus, it's insanely addictive.

LIGHTS' first album was full of potential pop hits.  They were airy, uplifting, and contained enough mesmerizing melodies to satisfy your average pop junkie.  From the very beginning of "Everybody Breaks A Glass", the music is different.  There's more edge in the production.  Holy F**k could take some of the credit in that department.  The electronica group worked on the instrumental with LIGHTS.  Clean beats have been replaced by thick crunching distortion.  Vocally, LIGHTS switches up between a her signature sweet and innocent style and a more demanding voice in the verses.

After a dubstep influenced breakdown, there's a verse from Shad.  For the most part, the entire "featured rapper" method is horribly overused in Top 40 music.  If you take a look at the Hot 100 charts, an overwhelming amount of the singles feature another artist.  Some artists such as Katy Perry have even abused the idea simply to bump record sales with rushed remixes.  However, Shad's presence on "Everybody Breaks A Glass" is a great parallel to LIGHTS' vocals.

Siberia is out worldwide on October fourth.  You can pre-order a variety of editions, including an autographed package, here.  A standard edition pre-order can also be found here.

Watch the lyric video for "Everybody Breaks A Glass" below...

LIGHTS - Saviour

As I said in a previous post, electro-pop is an immensely popular genre at the moment.  Owl City has proved this with his success.  LIGHTS (yes it really is capitalized), who is currently on tour with Owl City, is also an artist of this infectious genre.  With the focus on bouncy synths and sweet lyrics, LIGHTS has created the catchy and bubbly "Saviour".  This song is from her debut album, The Listening.  It has recently been remixed by Adam Young, and this song isn't going to stop there.

LIGHTS is actually Lights Valerie Poxleitner.  She has created the "LIGHTS" label as a stage name of some sort.  Her voice is very unique.  It's quite high, with a glassy tone.  At first listen, you may be put off by it.  It took me a couple listens to get used to it, but when I did, I found out how great of a song "Saviour" is.  The main attraction of the tune is it's chorus.  It's very big and romantic with the lyrics, "I just wanna run to you - I need a saviour".  The melody, while somewhat simple, will be implanted in your brain for hours upon hearing it.

LIGHTS' album, The Listening, is out now.  If you like synth filled electro-pop songs with catchy beats, then LIGHTS is for you.  Her ability to create innocent and bright sounding pop songs will take her far.  "Saviour" is just the tip of the iceberg for her.  I would definitely check out this song, it grows on you.