LIGHTTOWN CLOSURE

This is pretty much a one man show by Netherland's own Chris Van Der Linden, although he does get help from four guests with additional guitars, synths, bass and male choirs.There is a picture of Chris in the liner page wearing a disturbing shirt. Speaking of disturbing, the music here is very minimalistic, dark and melancholic. Depressing is another word that fits. And it is constantly this.The vocals are reserved reminding me of the vocals on ANATHEMA's earlier songs that were slow moving and sad.

"I Am" has these faint guitar melodies that come and go as almost spoken words join in after 1 1/2 minutes. Synths end it as it blends into "After The Storm" where it kicks in right away with drums and a fuller sound.Vocals too. It settles after 3 minutes briefly. "Closing Hours" opens with a beat as melancholic vocals join in. "Gone Today" is dark and sad with reserved vocals. It picks up some a minute in. "Tonight I" is minimalistic with fragile vocals and a beat. It gets fuller and there's an electronic vibe too. Atmosphere ends it.

"Signals In The Sky" opens with atmosphere.Vocals 2 minutes in. It picks up with drums 3 1/2 minutes in. It stops 5 1/2 minutes in. Sounds hover and pulse after 7 1/2 minutes to end it. "Descending" opens with atmosphere then reserved vocals come in around a minute. "White Paint" has these almost spoken vocals with guitar. Depressing. "Lashes" has a fuller sound but it's still slow moving and melancholic with reserved vocals as well.

A good debut but I wish there were some outbursts and most of all some uplifting passages mixed in with all the depression.