A Flame Alighteth show an impressive sound throughout their self-titled album, unveiling a consistently compelling moody rock mystique. The California-based duo of multi-instrumentalist Alex Michelucci and guitarist David Edward Lall describe the release as aiming “to capture and express the feeling of post pandemic America as we face and trudge through this most strange and uncertain era in our history.”
Following the murky intrigue of the opening “Itinerary,” “it’s okay” launches into a pulsing rock immediacy with alternative and post-punk inclinations. “Show me your new philosophy, that you learned from the TV when you were afraid to die,” the brooding vocal tone lets out, criticizing superficiality and loss of self throughout with lines like “someone else’s talking puppet phony mouthpiece.” Bursts of vocal escalating and clamoring guitars appear with sporadic, exciting effect, combining with poignant modern laments for a resonating kickoff to the album.
Another success, “Keep Your Eyes Down” builds with more patient hypnotics. Pit-pattering percussion build with motoric charm, as the vocals assume a compelling soaring. A post-punk pulse enamors as the vocals discover that the “only way to her heart is through the right look from the start,” — venturing into an invigorating title-touting refrain, reminding of Interpol’s early rock and post-punk melding; the atmospheric, layered engrossment is palpable. The subsequent “Below the Falls” also grips with its ardent vocal exultations and buzzing ferocity. A Flame Alighteth is full of highlights.
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“Keep Your Eyes Down” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
