Top Ten Albums 2008: Lightspeed Champion - Falling Off The Lavender Bridge

MICROPSIA - Top Ten Album of the Year

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by Gemma Padley (BBC) 17 January 2008

It takes character to bounce back after a band split. To face the gnashing jaws of the music industry as a solo artist is a big undertaking let alone reinvent your sound in the process. The debut album from Dev Hynes, ex-member of noise-punk outfit Test Icicles, is all warm dreamy melodia, a far cry from the serrated, thrash-inspired punk of his former band. That is until you listen closely to Hynes' lyrics and unravel the pent up emotion bubbling underneath.

Since Test Icicles' split in 2006, Hynes has had time to re-group: Regrouping means self-reflection and this album is full of it. While impatient listeners may toss Falling Off aside as nothing more than indie-acoustic whimsy, the strength of the album (and what sets it apart from many others of its ilk), is Hynes' jarringly candid sentiments. Single, Galaxy Of The Lost sets things in motion: "…my neck will burn..as we kiss and I'm sick in your mouth…lick my open wounds…" Hynes retches in a biting chorus chased by an oddly incongruous skipping motif. Meanwhile, All To Shit is a genuinely moving moment. Modest guitar and un-interfering backing instruments float into frame before vanishing in this blink-and-you'll-miss-it glimpse of a track.

Hynes' fondness for Americana/country is particularly apparent. Recorded with Mike Mogis of Saddle-Creek renown, Falling Off frequently dips into sliding, sunnily-distorted melody lines. Everyone I Know Is Listening To Crunk adopts a Thrills-ian feel while Midnight Surprise is wrapped in cosy carefreeness. At times Hynes' voice recalls Kele Okereke – Salty Water could easily be a lost Bloc Party b-side - while Dry Lips has a naggingly familiar guitar/drum riff. But Hynes makes it clear art-rock is not for him, drafting in Emmy the Great as if to hammer his alternative folk preferences home.

Falling Off is an insight into Hynes' tangle of emotions; every track is a vital piece in this cobbled together emotional jigsaw. While Test Icicles fans may run for the hills, there is plenty of intrigue cooped up here, raging to get out.