Rough Edge: Nosound CD Reviews

NOSOUND

"Lightdark" (Burning Shed; 2008)

This one caught me by surprise. This effort from Nosound, titled “Lightdark,” is something that I was completely unaware of. As a joint effort by K-Scope and Burning Shed I figured it was of high quality – and it is.

Nosound’s “Lightdark” is a keyboard/mellotron driven album that uses guitars sparingly. The pace of the songs is slow, deliberative, and quite moody. You certainly can’t expect anthems on a disc like this, but you do get thematic images of love gone wrong and the inability to understand it.

The track “Someone Starts to Fade Away” features No-Man’s Tim Bowness on vocals and songwriting contributions. This track could have easily fit on No-Man’s “Schoolyard Ghosts” but fits seamlessly here as well. The track “Lightdark” features acoustic guitar reminiscent of David Gilmour’s later Pink Floyd effort and his “On An Island” solo effort. The mournful sound of cellos (on three tracks) give the disc added depth and perfectly reflects the often glum mood of the lyrics.

All in all, Nosound’s “Lightdark” is a mellow progressive rock effort that chooses stark emotions rather than pounding rock/metal to get its point across.

“Lightdark” is for fans of No-Man, Blackfield, and Porcupine Tree.

“Lightdark” was produced, recorded, and mixed by Giancarlo Erra.

Nosound: Giancarlo Erra on vocals, guitars, and keyboards; Paolo Martellacci on keyboards and vocals, Gabriele Savini on acoustic guitars, Alessandro Luci on bass, and Gigi Zito on drums and vocals. Tim Bowness (No-Man) contributes vocals/songwriting on “Someone Starts to Fade Away” and Marianne de Chastelaine contributes vocals on various tracks.

For more information visit http://www.nosound.net or http://www.myspace.com/nosoundnet.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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