Toronto – Released in October of this year, this review is what I would call a bit delayed, but better now then never. In This Light and On This Evening is the third album from the Editors, a band often compared to Interpol because the two lead singers sound similar. Their first two albums were full of guitar driven rock, and I guess they got bored of that formula because the third album is quite a bit different, featuring heavy usage of the synth, but in a more industrial post punk kind of way. Perhaps the band listened to a lot of early Depeche Mode in their recording days.
The lead single “Papillon” is fantastic. The 80s sounding synths, the dreary lyrics, the deep voice, this tune could have been something Factory records put out in the late 70s. I don’t know what prompted them to name a track “Eat Raw Meat = Blood Drool”, but that song is quite catchy as well, the lyrics really make you wonder what kind of headspace Tom Smith was in during this whole period
You’re chewing with an open mouth, raw meat,
your blood drool attracts the flies.
With themes of loneliness and escape through out the songs, I’d say the albums is a moderately dark one. It’s also been awhile since we’ve had a good album dedicated to the city of London, and this album makes no bones about it, as the opening track clearly says
London’s become, the most beautiful thing I’ve seen
For those who need further evidence, check out the awesome google maps mashup that the Editors have for this album.
Overall, I think this album is pretty good. Coupled with the White Lies album for this year, and you have two bookends for a decent year in British music inspired from early 80s post punk.
Attached is a remix done by a Northern Ireland crew, deceptively named the Japanese Popstars.
