TRACK LIST:
1. Number 261 3:18
2. Bloomed 3:01
3. From Minor to Sailor 19:45
4. Little Dark One 9:31
5. Phantom Twin 9:42
6. Untitled 3:16
LINE UP :
Nicholas-John Dewez - vocals, Theremin, guitars
Frederik Hardy - bass, pedals, vocals
Stephane Lecocq - guitars
Sebastien Perignon - keyboards
Christophe Szczyrk - drums
with:
Charlie Bertrand - musical box
Astrid Gallez - flute
Marie-Noel Mouton - vocals
Judith Lecuit - cello
Marilyn Placek - vocals
Dominique Poncin - bass
Margot Poncin - violin
Prolusion.
Luxembourg band Light Damage was formed back in 2005, and had a run playing cover material for some years before the band settled in and were ready to craft and record their own material. They released their debut album "Light Damage" in 2014, and subsequently signed with German label Progressive Promotion Records. "Numbers" is their second studio album, and was released in 2018.
Analysis.
I see that Light Damage has been classified as a neo-progressive rock band by the Progarchives site, and while this is a band with more to offer than merely that subset of progressive rock I see the reason behind that classification. Their brand of progressive rock is an atmospheric laden one at heart, and as such I do suspect that this is a production that will resonate a bit more among a neo-progressive interested audience too.
But just as important are the darker, more organic sections of the material here, with sections that have a bit more of a Gilmour-era Pink Floyd vibe to them. While not being a dominant aspect of the production as such they are important in terms of setting the mood for the song, especially when present early on in the compositions.
The majority of the compositions are passages that come with a harder edge to them though. The guitar riffs are more prominent in the mix, execution and overall atmosphere here, and there appears to be a clear inspiration taken in from hard rock in these parts of the material. On occasion explored in a more neo-progressive manner, and on other occasions more in line with music many would describe as hard progressive rock.
In between we also have sections with a more elegant expression, light in tone and texture, and very much aligned with the more compelling aspects of neo-progressive rock. Perhaps more important and numerous are darker toned, more vibrant and majestic displays, exploring the more haunting aspects of the neo-progressive rock universe in a sweeping manner.
Some impulses from classical music find their way into the landscapes explored here too, with a few sections making use of chamber music elements and string instrument sounds to craft some distinctly haunting landscapes very specific to music made with a chamber music inspiration and orientation. A bit of an additional art rock flavoring you might say, and an addition that does expand upon the territories explored on this production very nicely indeed.
From a more subjective point of view I do find that the mix and production occasionally makes the landscapes explored come across as ever so slightly chaotic though, and while a minor detail I do think that some of the vocal contributions aren't quite at the same level as the rest of the elements here. Both of these are details that come down to a subjective taste in and opinion of music of course, but as these are details that do affect my personal perception of this album they merit a mention for that reason.
Conclusion.
With "Numbers" Light Damage have made themselves an ambitious album that in form and orientation stretch across a few different parts of the progressive rock universe. While the heart and soul of this production probably resides within an atmospheric laden and compelling variety of the form, with neo-progressive rock arguably the most suitable overall definition, the inclusion of sections with more of a hard progressive rock flavor and the occasional turns into art rock territories are well worth mentioning when summarizing too. A production that should please fans of neo-progressive rock that find the use of hard progressive rock and art rock elements inside this context generally intriguing.
Progmessor: January 2023
The Rating Room
