Released - 8/20/10
Label - EMI Music Australia
BLURB - Australia's Miami Horror became an obsession at our office this year after I brought their record in. You were constantly hearing it being played in other people's cubicles. Everyone suddenly started researching bands that sounded like Miami Horror, myself included, in an attempt to find more records like "Illumination." Describing the band's sound can be a bit cumbersome, but I'd have to say it is something along the lines of retro indie-disco, with a futuristic twist. But genre labeling aside, this album is filled with unbelievably bright tones and atmospheric dance beats that will have you pressing the repeat button all day long.
Rating - 10 out of 10
FULL STORY - "Illuminations" starts off rather unassuming as 'Infinite Canyons' paints a mellow soundscape of textures and tones. The song title is very apt, as listening to the track literally makes you feel like you just jumped off a cliff and are falling in slow motion. Keyboards and arpeggiators slowly filter their way in and out of the speakers as the song slowly morphs into 'I Look to You.' After a few seconds of silence, a drum & bass dance beat and sampled horn section spring out of nowhere. Despite the overall dance feel, the track remains very calm and reserved, almost readying the listener for the rest of the record.
From the first chord of 'Holidays,' you know it's one of those songs that you won't be able to stop listening to. Here we have another dance beat, but this time it is accompanied by a great piano progression and loads of synthesized bass. As the verse hits, the bass suddenly drops and a disco-laden guitar riff emerges as the lone accompaniment. The energy and pace of the track is bursting with energy and enthusiasm everywhere. As the chorus hits, the full instrumentation comes back with even more force and an added fervor. During the final chorus the bass lines go absolutely nuts and transforms into one of the greatest musical bridges I've ever heard. Just take a listen from 2:30 to 3:30 and try not to bob your head. It's impossible. Only making the track better are the vocals, which are all too addicting and melodic.
'Sometimes' might be the best song I've ever heard, even after listening to 'Holidays.' The track begins with a fuzz of ambient keyboards and then draws in waves of synthesizers, bass and guitar as the track begins to build up momentum. It's not until :38 in that the drums kick and the track takes flight. The verse is a stark contrast to the introduction and features restrained wet synth riffs that perfectly bounce off of the snare and kick drums. As with, 'Holidays,' this song has another strong chorus with mass appeal that will strike a chord with any listener. The production itself has a very dreamy feel, thanks in part the myriad of bright tones and atmospheric effects that subtlety lay the groundwork for the song. Even the lyrics have a dreamy feel to them:
"With eyes wide shut we lay stagnant awake, safe for now in this wondrous state. Lost at a crossroad that's missing a sign - how do we know if they made it alive? There's something lurking in the distance ahead, fragments of light shine away from the dead. They fantasize fury, no time left to stop. It's darkness approaching now, we're at a loss."
'Imagination (I Want You to Know)' sounds like a corny dance song you might have heard at a dance in 1984, but it's amazing. Bending guitar notes and electric piano chords form the main components of the song, while the feel is a cross between prom and listening to Hall & Oates. Miami Horror even brings in a group of children to help belt out yet another infectious chorus. The track is somewhat relaxed, but musically tight as they modulate to a new key for the last portion of the song, a great way to enhance an already bright composition.
'Ultraviolet' may be the most electronic song on the album, and rightfully so as Alan Palomo (aka Neon Indian) is featured. With a darker palette of tones, the track has a certain edge to it that can't be found on the rest of the album. Arpeggiators and clouds of haze roam freely throughout the track and unknowingly compliment the surprisingly rock nature of this song with great ease.
"Illumination" is perhaps one of the most complete albums, from start to finish, that I've heard this year. I didn't even get to the brilliance of 'Summersun' or 'Moon Theory.' The record is a great modern interpretation of 80's dance and electronic music. Most, if not all, of the album sounds like it could have been lifted straight from Girogio Moroder's soundtrack to Scarface...maybe that's why they're called Miami Horror? The last main point that really needs to be emphasized is that Miami Horror is a legitimate band and has the live chops to back up the record - it's not just a couple people on their laptops. All this does is make me like Miami Horror that much more. If and when they ever come state-side, I'll be the first one in line for tickets.
Tracks
1.) Infinite Canyons
2.) I Look to You (feat. Kimbra)
3.) Holidays (feat. Alan Palomo)
4.) Summersun
5.) Sometimes
6.) Moon Theory
7.) Echolex (feat. Mai)
8.) Imagination (I Want You to Know)
9.) Grand Illusion
10.) Soft Light (feat. Alan Palomo)
11.) Illuminated
12.) Ultraviolet (feat. Alan Palomo)
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