Dark Glow

If love is a bright sound comprised of major chords, loosened by reverb and a laid back beat, then its appropriate that Choir Vandalss debut full-length explores the subject throughout its twelve bright, easy songs. Its title, Dark Glow, suits it, too, but not because of its luminous connotations. Instead, the oxymoron fits along with what it implies about love. Its the songs on Dark Glow, the music and melodies that feel so bright. Hard to Hold is among the brightest, with its gem-like chords and drumbeat like boulders tumbling down a mountain. Singer and guitarist Austin McCutchen contributes his dazed voice to the displayslurs his words, bends his voice, flips into a falsettoadding serenity to an already lazy summer song. Of course, as the albums title implies, just because these are bright love songs doesnt mean that there arent some shadows, too. The title Dark Glow is taken from the song Head in the Oven, another shimmering, spinning song; though its music expresses loves brightness, the lyrics paint a more conflicted picture: Dizzy when the feelings right, McCutchen croons, tripped up and tried to dance in perfect time / got lost inside the record players mind, spinning around with no cover design. Love may be a bright sound, but Dark Glow reminds us to listen to what its really sayingto not be distracted by mere beauty, to heed its obvious advice. Here, Choir Vandals first full- length reveals more than musical maturity; more than a band that has found its lush, layered sound. It reveals personal maturity and wisdom the sort of truth that only experience can provide..