CHSR Mini Review: Heat and Lights – Where in the World ep
Listen to Heat and Lights while you read. http://heatandlights.bandcamp.com/
Singer/songwriter Tim Walker originally started Heat and Lights as a solo project but on the new EP ‘Where in The World’, Walker has enlisted some fine musicians to the project. With seasoned musicians Brad Perry, Nick Cobham, Dennis Goodwin, Andre Butler rounding out the line up, Heat and Lights sound has become much fuller and dynamic. The album was mixed and recorded by Chris Maclean, who does a phenomenal job capturing the subtle nuances and layers from all the players.
Compared to the previous Heat and Lights demo release (which I previously reviewed), ‘Where in The World’ songs are appear more fully realized. Walker is a strong lyricist and writes on personal observations and reflects musingly on his life experiences fitting snugly into the warm folk/rock/pop sound.
There is a playfulness to Heat and Lights, especially present in the song All I Want is a Dance, where Walker writes a humours take on materialism and greed against his appreciation life’s simpler offerings – like a Dance. ‘Show Me Where to Go’ is the most immediate accessible track on the album with its catchy pop rock hook. While the other tracks are slowburners that get richer with multiple listens, ‘Show Me Where to Go’ is the most uptempo song on the record and a definite highlight. My personal favourite, ‘Your Love’, is a beautifully written love song where Walker sings, ‘You got something I can not speak in words, there is no language or none that I have learned.’ To me that line encompasses the strength of Heat and Lights new record, its how music can move you. An album that is warm as a home cooked meal, familiar as spending quality time with family, and realizing quite simply that happiness is in the eye of the beholder. Great album, highly recommended.
tim rayne
