City Light Vigil
Chetwynd, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 2012 | SELF
Music
Press
Incoming Transmission is a strong and emphatic introduction to City Light Vigil’s newest album, Under A Bright Shining Light. The forceful riffs, supersonic vocals, and unity amongst the constituent elements of the band make for something that will immediately bring listeners to the edges of their seat. Hints of the pop-punk of the early-oughts acts like Sum 41 and Blink 182 can be heard here, but there is a more enlightened an emotive sound that is cultivated during the introductory sections of the disc.
In The Cards is a harder-edged track that allows the drums and guitars ample time to shine while the more laid-back vocals that kick in shortly after spin the track in a different direction. Hints of Unwritten Law and Sponge are here, made new again through the unique screaming style brought in for the chorus.
A magnificent instrumentation starts off Kids In The Corner , a cut that slows things down and ferries considerable vocal depth. The rising action that works its way through the first half of the single explodes into an intricate collection of elements. This electronic/guitar-heavy combination showcases the raw ability of City Light Vigil, dovetailing into Something In The Static. Something In The Static comes and goes before the effort hits the 90 second mark, presenting listeners with a good sense that City Light Vigil has moved into the second half of Under A Bright Shining Light.
Lost In Translation is a track that builds off of the work of acts like MxPx and Mest, all while inserting some heady instrumentation into the mix. The vocals are also highlighted during this effort, making for a track that will stand up to repeat listens before listeners hear everything that the band has included. Rebirth has the band move into a pattern that is indelibly imprinted by the works of acts like Rise Against and Strike Anywhere; lengthy instrumental interludes and a ropy bass line establish this track as a stand-out amongst a disc full of hits.
Signs & Wonders is a rare example of an effort that anyone that has ever had a tricky relationship with a significant other (or even had a bout of unrequited love) can appreciate. This lyric0heavy track has the vocals and the musical side of City Light Vigil kick into high gear, creating a single that is utterly seamless while showcasing a band that’s more than happy to branch out in the last few gasps of an album. Midnight Lights takes bits and bops from the rest of the preceding efforts from Under A Bright Shining Light to increase the cohesiveness of the album. This means that there is a harder rock style that is dominant while the layered vocals are able to make for an effort thatwill resound loudly with listeners long after the album has ceased to play.
Wake Up, We’re Dreaming is the penultimate track and is another shorter composition. While the track comes and goes before City Light Vigil makes it to two minutes, the raw emotion that is weaved through this effort is hard to beat. Few instrumental efforts would be able to tell a story, but the highs and lows presented by this track are as clear as if a vocalist was accompanying every note. There is a greater complexity reached to this track that makes it a mite challenging to hear all of the different dynamics that have been wedged in here. This is still a clear and cohesive track; where lesser acts would make this a muddied affair, City Light Vigil have a goal in mind and accomplish it with flying colors.
Under A Bright Shining Light is the final track on Under A Bright Shining Light, ending the album with some of the most bombastic and intense music that we have ever heard from City Light Vigil. Where many acts are more than happy to end their album with a whimper, this effort hammers home the recording in a fashion that is rare with current acts.
We were fortunate enough to cover City Light Vigil’s previous single, Rebirth, in January of 2015. Further information about the band can be located at their social media profiles, while Under A Bright Shining Light is available on iTunes and other digital service providers.
Top Tracks: Incoming Transmission, Something In The Static
Rating: 8.7/10 - Neu Futur Magazine
Discography
Under A Bright Shining Light, 2015
Photos
Bio
City Light Vigil
The band comes from small town beginnings and consists of, Connor Pohl (Guitar, Vocals), Michael Pohl (Drums
and Percussion) and Matt Stanyer (Bass, Vocals). In 2003 Connor and
Michael started a band known as “Atrium”, which gained a small following
in local towns, with former bassist Erik Fink. Matthew was the front
man of “The Flipside” which at the time was Atrium’s biggest competitor
& vice versa . These two bands would go head to head at “battle of
the bands” competitions and always try to outdo one another when it came
to how far along their band had gotten, with any sort of measurable
success. In the spring of 2012 Atrium was on the verge of disbanding, as
their bassist wanted to pursue other avenues in life, at the same time
The Flipside was a month away from taking a dirt nap. Connor was
approached by The Highschool Grad class of 2012 to have Atrium play at a
fundraiser , however the band was no more. In an attempt to salvage the
opportunity Connor reached out and asked Matt if he would like to join
forces and help raise money. Matt jumped at the bit, and rehearsals
began. It was magnetic. A sense of fulfillment was felt all around.
Never had either of them felt such chemistry. Within the first week,
they would write and record demos late into the night at a vacant
church. Awe inspiring, and eerie are two ways to describe the writing
process. Things just happened quickly, and without any headwinds. They
would write the entire debut album over the period of the next year.
During this year the boys would accomplish a lot more than just writing
an album. July 1st 2012 they were invited to open for Phil X (Bon Jovi,
Kelly Clarkson, Powder) at the Whiskey A-Go-Go, Hollywood. Being from a
town of ten thousand people the band instantly gained notoriety and
local fame. While playing at the whiskey a producer from MTV approached
the band and was ecstatic with feedback “You guys are onto something
great, you were the act of the night, I love your sound!” It went on and
on. The boys were overjoyed. While in LA they were scouted after the
Whiskey A-Go-Go show to play another handful of venues in the OC
including the “Detroit Bar”. It was a beautiful experience. Upon
returning home to the north, the band headlined Beaverfest 2012 in
Valleyview, AB as well as co headlining a show at the Studio Foundation
in Edmonton, AB and landing a gig at Grizfest 2012 things were going
well. That September they opted to gig less and focus more on the album
with studio time approaching the following May 13’ it was time to buckle
down. The debut record was tracked at Turnkey Studios in Edmonton.
Mixed by Dan Weston (City and Colour, Attack In Black, Flo, Rida) and
Mastered by Tom Baker (Rob Zombie, 30 Seconds To Mars, Underoath).
Titled “Bright Shining” referred to as “the Bright Shining record”.
Listening back in the studio, the band knew they had done something
great and felt it compared to their favorite albums of all time. It was a
dream of each member, to do something on this level. Ten years in the
making.
With Love,
Connor, Matt and Mike
Band Members
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