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THE EMPIRE LIGHTS Disgraceland (Independent)
This independent debut can talk the talk and walk the walk... albeit with a slight wobble. Disgraceland's quirky Ben Folds-worthy piano opener offers the charming couplet, "I hope you brought protection/From this weapon of mass affection," and the trend continues with original lyrical phrases that enhance each song. The meat of the album vacillates between driven classic rock and casual folksy numbers. "My Favourite Bands" is a bit like Wilco's "Heavy Metal Drummer," and the next couple of tracks follow its light alt.country pace. The disc then changes velocity and dives into harder, yet less inspired, pop-rock pieces. Luckily, the last few songs find the band back in Wilco territory, complete with glockenspiels and timpani. While certain songs on this promising EP appear ready for the main stage, the overall sound needs to find a more consolidated, steady footing before the Lights can really rock out.
Nicole Kai
- Chart Magazine
Discography
-Park Towers Magazine Compilation (2004)
- Disgraceland (2006 Independent)
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Though long-time students of rock, The Empire Lights are just getting started. Now armed with an arsenal of material from their debut album, Disgraceland, they are showing no signs of stopping.
The Empire Lights started life as two friends making noise with sketches of songs in basements of Stratford, Ontario. With no preconceived ideas of what kind of band they were forming, songwriter Tavo Diez de Bonilla and drummer Matt Hartney just started to play and let the songs form the band. Surfacing periodically to play shows, the band also started making sporadic trips to London, Ontario to record at The House of Miracles with Andy Magoffin. The end result was Disgraceland, an 11-song collection of unassuming ditties, melodious pop and straight-up rockers that almost plays like a mix tape but still retains the balance of a coherent album.
Upon the album’s completion, the band solidified it’s line-up with the addition of guitarists Francois Turenne and Andew Johnston and is now gelling into a tight live unit.
The band is currently working on new material for their next album which they plan to start recording in the spring.
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