Review: Wild Light - Adult Nights (* * * *)

New Hampshire quartet Wild Light, the much buzzed-about indie rock band, are set to release their new album, Adult Nights, which will be available next week. The band's first single, "California On My Mind," became an instant hit around the blogosphere and their connection to Arcade Fire didn't hurt, either (Tim Kyle was one of the AF's founding members). So the group have set the bar high for themselves on their debut, which is both an exciting and often difficult position for a band to be in when you're expected to impress for an entire album and not just a single or two. Fortunately, I can safely say that they easily meet our lofty expectations with the melodic collection of 13 of indie-pop tunes that is Adult Nights.

Wild Light play a sort of classic indie rock reminiscent of the 90s but they dress it up so smart it all seems new and fresh. Layers of vocal harmonies, jangly guitars, and bright keys keep the music inviting and instantly enjoyable, and the three singers' (Kyle, Jordan Alexander, Seth Pitman - they all sound fairly similar until you pay closer attention) smooth voices and sharp lyrics have a bit of a Win Butler earnestness to them but with a more laid-back pop style. The result is an album that feels anything like a debut, but a well-formed, carefully constructed indie rock record. Melody is the focus throughout, especially on songs like opener "California On My Mind," which bursts from the speakers with it's casual guitar sound and sunny disposition that might fool you into thinking this is another of those 'California' songs...for about ten seconds until the refrain kicks in to inform you that Alexander is not exactly singing an ode to the golden state. The next track, "New Hampshire" continues with a slightly more subdued version of that same musical style, as do songs like the piano-led "Call Home" and the melancholy "New Year's Eve."

Elsewhere, the band branch out a bit with some U2-esque guitars on the fantastic "Heart Attack," and a little more upbeat rock on "My Father Was A Horse," but the pattern stays fairly consistent throughout the record. The strength of the album lies in the generally strong songwriting and attention to detail that differentiates each track and causes the album's 45 minutes to be consistently thrilling if not often surprising. Wild Light are strong musicians and nothing on Adult Nights feels half-baked or lazy. This is an all killer, no filler album that I expect will be one of the better debuts released this year.

MP3 Saturday: Jon Boden, Wild Light, Marissa Nadler

Check out a song from each of these recommended artists. Some of the music is available only for a limited time, make sure you take a listen!


Jon Boden - "Has Been Calvary"

It's unlikely that you've heard of Jon Boden if you live in the U.S., but the British singer/songwriter has been making music with various folk groups for some time now. Both The Observer and The Guardian have good things to say about him, and for good reason; his classic folk sound and strong songwriting deserve attention. "Has Been Calvary" is the first single from his upcoming album, Songs from the Floodplain, which will be released March 2, 2009 in the U.K. Check it out below.

Has Been Calvary (MP3)
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Wild Light - "Heart Attack"

I've already written about Wild Light once before when they gave away another song, and now we have the pleasure of hearing a second track, "Heart Attack," one of my favorites from their upcoming album, Adult Nights. The song is available over at Spin, but only for a few more days, so go download it! Otherwise you'll have to wait until March 3rd when the record is released.

Heart Attack (Spin download page)
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Marissa Nadler - "River Of Dirt"

I don't know much about Marissa Nadler, except that the Boston singer/songwriter makes beautiful music, as evidenced by "River Of Dirt," the gorgeous, haunting first single from her new record Little Hells, which will be released on March 3rd. Her striking voice alone makes this song one you should hear, and provides yet another reason as to why March is shaping up to be a great month for music.

River Of Dirt (MP3)

New Artist/MP3: Wild Light

Indie newcomers Wild Light have built up a sizable amount of hype with only an EP and a debut album still three months out. Receiving favorable comparisons to Arcade Fire, Whiskeytown, and Flaming Lips, the New Hampshire quartet have taken classic indie rock and wrapped it in a smooth blanket of pop sensibility that is immediately recognizable yet somehow distinct.

Their upcoming album, Adult Nights, is set for release on March 3 of next year, but fortunately you can get a preview over at RCRD LBL by downloading the lead single "California On My Mind," an insanely catchy tune with endearing (albeit explicit) lyrics that should cause an immediate sing-a-long. If this is any indication of what we can expect in the future (and from what I've heard, it is) then three months can't pass quickly enough.

The band are also streaming several songs on their MySpace page.