Atmospheric Rock

ALBUM OF THE WEEK: FOREIGN FILM- A LOVE LETTER

The idea of the band Will Haven going in a full on 180 degree direction than their known heaviness is beyond intriguing. Usually when you hear a band, well the majority of a band, step out of their known repertoire it can go a bit haywire. That’s not the case for Foreign Film. While there is still a bit of heavy, their debut album, A Love Letter, is an ethereal ambient melodic rock record that soars in direction that flies through the atmosphere.

Across ten songs and forty two minutes you will get lost in this new world of Will Haven’s Jeff Irwin. Along with his fellow bandmates Mitch Wheeler (drums), Adrien Contreras (bass) and Sean Bivins (guitar) he’s also joined by Rylan Kerr (guitar), Robin Florkin (piano/keys) and Tami Taracena (backing vocals), they’ve made a record that moves in a more “post” rock style that’s emotive and full of lush soundscapes. This project has long been in the making and now comes to fruition.

Each song evokes it own emotion. There’s not one song on here that feels like it repeats itself. Instead it weaves an intricate web of all sorts of inspiration making A Love Letter an album that truly captures the essence of the idea. I urge everyone to listen from start to finish to see the whole picture come to life.

Foreign Film’s A Love Letter truly is a thoughtful piece of music and art that fits stands out on its own. There’s a place for both Will Haven and Foreign Film and rightfully so. Enjoy what this album is. The evolution of what this band can be is only getting started.

Overall Rating: B+

By: Brian Lacy

Foreign Film- A Love Letter:

Band Of The Week: LIGHTSYSTEM

There must be something in the water in Los Angeles as of late. An influx of great bands have been coming out and revitalizing the artistic integrity of playing honest music that is self gratifying ,but also has the ability to connect with many others. Enter LIGHTSYSYTEM. Comprised of John Kyle (drums), Danny Byrne (Vocals/Guitar), and Jason Greenly (Bass), they have taken the atmospheric art rock sound to another level. There are pulsating drums, thumping bass and shoe gaze guitars that are reminiscent of Isis and My Bloody Valentine. Vocally and lyrically they almost connect automatically. The whimsical nature of the soundscapes pull you in deeper and deeper. Their album Lost Language which came out in 2013 is quite an epic. Songs such as Plurals, Time and Shape and Mirrors really drive in the notion of being epic. There is something to watch out for here. Lightsystem have what it takes to pull you out of the dark and expand your mind.

http://lightsystem.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/lightsystem

http://www.lightsystem.us/

By: Brian Lacy