Amazon.co.uk Review
Following up 2002's EP
Le Funk comes this charming full length LP from Kentucky based
VHS or Beta.
Night On Fire takes its cue from mixing the near-synthetic rock/dance template (think Duran Duran with a bit more punch, or latterly Dogs Die in Hot Cars) with plaintively simple but effective vocals, and succeeds in creating a sound akin to a rock version of Daft Punk's retro stylings.
Setting out the stalls early with the instantly catchy title track, the album builds on the initial sounds (clipped funk guitars, elastic bass, vocals eerily reminiscent of Robert Smith) and crafts them into songs that are part-dance, part-rock. Despite the limited sonic palette, the album still manages to offer up numerous strong tracks, especially in its' second half.
Interspersed with two instrumentals "Night Waves" and "Forever" (well, it only has a four word lyric) which serve as a breather from Craig Pfunder's occasionally grating vocal style, the album is well paced, with the lengthy meditative exploration of "Irreversible" saved until last. Slowly building up into a mass of guitar noise, before settling back down into a hypnotic groove, this song is a definite highlight, though the entire album definitely demands a listen. --Thom Allott
CD Description
Second long player from Louisville four piece who have beenlikened to The Rapture and The Cure. The singles 'Night On Fire' and 'The Melting Moon' are included.