The Beauty of Eerie Lights
All will change with time… the future none can see. In the reconciliation of seemingly opposing options (making up a changing mind) we can hope to find new perspectives and better ways to move forward. ~Derek Vincent Smith
That quote was taken after the release of Making up a Changing Mind by Pretty Lights in 2010. After watching The Making of Pretty Lights’ New Album: A Color Map of the Sun, I noticed the progression that Smith has experienced since creating his last album. One of the key elements that I noticed within his progression in music is to not move away from traditional instruments, but rather incorporate them into his style. The 2013 project is also a double disk compilation with additional live material from the recording process.
A Color Map of the Sun is also packed with a star studded list of musicians including: Eric Krasno, guitarist for Soulive, Talib Kweli, members of the Harlem Gospel Choir, Ben Jaffe horn player in (Preservation Hall Jazz band), the late “Uncle” Lionel Batiste, and Adam Deitch joining in on drums. Smith mentioned traveling to New Orleans to pick up on the rich music history that embodies in the sound of the music. The attention to the right details creates additional layers of enjoyment.
“It’s analog electronica in it’s purest form,” Smith said.
Before listening to the album, I had a developed a tight bond with Talib Kweli, vocalist, writer and musician. ‘Around The Block’ featuring Kweli is a contemporary masterpiece that makes mainstream radio look as dull as a wax museum. I love wax museums, they just lack the thrill ride that “A Color Map of the Sun” provides consumers. Pretty Lights live in concert is even more invigorating experience. Smith will be stopping by the All Good Music Festival, as well as many several other top notch venues across the country.
“A Color Map of the Sun is what the past two and a half years is what my life has been dedicated to. I wanted to make an album that showcased countless genres and countless time periods, but have a very modern style and production to it,” Smith said.
The album projects an eerie glow throughout each track that illuminates audio layering in uncharted aural locations in our minds. Listening to this album is like being a kid in a candy store for music fans. There is a nice layer of polished experienced on this album compared to his pervious releases. The album receives a 9.2 out of 10 for overall production and quality of work.
