LEAGUE OF LIGHTS - League Of Lights (2011)

The U.K.'s League Of Lights is some kind of super group fronted by Threshold keyboardist and songwriter Richard West, created around gorgeous singer Farrah West, his wife.
They're joined by Ruud Jolie from the mighty Within Temptation on guitar, Fates Warning's drummer Mark Zonder and bassist Jerry Meehan who has played with such luminaries as Robbie Williams, Chris de Burgh and Brian Ferry.

They describe themselves as 'a modern melodic rock group with '80s / '90s pop sensibilities', and this seems like a fairly good description, but there is more.
With Farrah West's catchy vocals underpinned by varied synth modulations, some electronic elements, and an overall '80s feel, "I'm Alive" defines the direction for the album.
Farrah West does indeed possess a voice suitable to eighties synth-pop, and together with her husband's contribution the blueprint of the songs is set.
Richard West is critical to each and every song on the album. He uses so many sound samples, symphonic textures and tones but he refrains from his role in Threshold in that there are no synth leads on this song.
Rather, the emphasis is on the vocals from start to finish with inspiring lyrics saturated in faith, hope and love.
On drums is ex-Fates Warning demigod, Mark Zonder. This being basically a pop-rock structured album, Zonder's contribution mostly holds down the rhythmic core with steady 4/4 beats, but his tone is still as unique as always.

In order to add diversity to the songcraft, the West duo's "Last Senset" is washed over with a spine-tinkling piano theme and New Age-like sound explorations.
On guitars, there is Within Temptation's Ruud Jolie at the helm. Jolie's playing is pretty similar to his work with his own band, as he usually plays within the realm of pop music sensibilities -- just as these songs dictate.
Therefore, it would be wise not to expect any mammoth riffs or guitar licks. The most noticeable riffing you'll hear is in the intro of "Ambertown" and the acoustic guitars planted underneath Farrah's indelible vocals on "Anime." This one sounds like a soundtrack played during the most heartbreaking scene of a romantic comedy. Her singing is sublime.
The album's secret hit is "Half Light" because it is the song where Richard West returns to his atmospheric playing heard in Threshold. The keys on this track evoke Kevin Moore's (original Dream Theater keyboardist) solo material with sparse notes ringing atop Farrah West's multi-tracked vocals whilst "Cool of the Day" is based entirely on synth-piano and her gorgeous a capella vocals.


League Of Lights is a very pleasant surprise.
Ten soft and gentle melodic rock tracks but not in the 'anthem' style, the tunes have a strong '80s pop-rock flair with a soft neo prog aura.
Think as a mix of Wetton/Downes Icon melodic rock, a hint of Bangles catchiness and a spot of modern prog here and there resulting in fresh, vibrant and why not, sumptuous rock.
The charming and fragile voice of Farrah West is the signature of the band; her style has a lot of similarities with the English '80s female pop scene. She sings the songs beautifully and emotively without ever resorting to any wailing or screaming, relying on tone, timbre, melody and clarity rather than most vocalists today who feel the need to over-sing.
Richard's crystal clear production allows you to hear every nuance of the music, power is applied with restraint and at exactly the right moments, the sound is subtle instead of bombastic, very different to Within Temptations 80's infused 'The Unforgiving' which might appear on paper very similar, especially with Ruud playing on both, the yin to their yang.
Given the right push and airplay, this superbly written, performed and produced album could be massive in the mainstream, it has that right mix of outstanding musicianship and accessible songs that will appeal to a very broad spectrum of rock music lovers, as well as prog and metal fans thanks to their lineage.
Sophisticated and really interesting.


01 - I'm Alive
02 - Cover Me Now
03 - Last Sunset
04 - Half Light
05 - Ambertown
06 - You Light My Way
07 - Don't Leave Me Behind
08 - Animé
09 - Cool Of The Day
10 - Heaven Sent A Star


Farrah West: vocals
Richard West (Threshold): keyboards
Ruud Jolie (Within Temptation): guitars
Mark Zonder (ex-Fates Warning): drums
Jerry Meehan: bass


BUY IT !
www.leagueoflights.com