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Hotel Lights - Hotel Lights |
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ALBUM REVIEWSPick of the Chick: Our Favorite Releases, 1999-Present |
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 HOTEL LIGHTS
- HOTEL LIGHTS
Dork-rock fans around the world were shattered by the sudden demise of Ben Folds Five in 2000. On the bright side, this event allowed band-member Darren Jessee to step away from the drum kit and spread his songwriting wings. Based on the excellent debut from Jessee’s band, Hotel Lights, his wingspan may be large enough to overshadow even the mighty Ben Folds in time. While Ben Folds Five made an art of drawing in listeners with their cheese-filled, tongue-in-cheek anthems, Hotel Lights takes a more serious and somber approach. Hotel Lights’ debut album primarily consists of reflective ballads with catchy melodies. Jessee’s mellow vocals, which are reminiscent of Radiohead’s Thom Yorke, accentuate the overall melancholy mood. Lyrically, Jessee explores the mix of emotions associated with broken relationships, from confusion (“Anatole”), to regret (“Miles Behind Me”), to drunken ambivalence (“Stumblin' Home Winter Blues”). One of the standout tracks is “Follow Through,” a beautiful yet painful take on the timeless theme of “if you love someone, set them free—even if it hurts like hell.” Throughout the album, the lyrics are well-written and poignant—they have an instant accessibility and universality that draw in the listener. The album’s slow vibe is uplifted by a few songs with faster tempos, including “I Am a Train,” “What You Meant,” and “Marvelous Truth.” These tracks are as melodic as the album’s slower songs and Jessee’s vocal styling helps these songs blend with the overall reflective tone of the record. Hotel Lights is also an excellent live band with the talent to go far in the music business—look out Ben. PIGEONHOLE: Somber alterna-pop with catchy melodies and reflective lyrics.
Andrew Helminger |
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