EDITORS
In This Light And On This Evening
Fader / Kitchenware Records

Well, there's good news and bad news to come along with Editors' third album, In This Light And On This Evening . The good news is that the title track is quite possibly the most powerful, affecting and beautiful song that the band has ever done. The bad news is that nothing else in this collection comes close.

That being said, Editors fans should still welcome this record, even without the immediate gratification of their usual anthemic, hooky style. Clearly, the quartet had tired of doing the same old thing and were looking to expand their sound. At this, they've succeeded in every way. This could be no one but Editors and yet it's not the same as what they've given us in the past.

I must say that I do miss their guitars. With two great players in the band, it's a shame to not have a single place to spotlight that sound anywhere in the lot. Granted, the guitars would've pulled away from the sound for which they were clearly aiming and I understand the decision to limit them. However, that doesn't make the guitars any less missed. Synthesizers and programmed sounding drums replace the organic groove but luckily, the lyrics and dark vibe pull the clinical sounds to a relatable and human level.

The first single, “Papillon” sounds as if it could be an outtake from a Real Life album (Remember “Send Me An Angel”?). In fact, the great majority of the album sounds like it escaped from the early 1980‘s. Just listen to “The Big Exit”. It certainly doesn't sound like it's from the second decade of the 21st century. This one feels influenced by David Bowie's Eno produced trilogy of the late 1970's with the sonics of 1983. At the very least it sounds as if the members of the band have traded in their Joy Division albums for Depeche Mode.

“Eat Raw Meat=Drool Blood” is ugly lyrically and musically. Tense, distorted industrial sounds pound underneath lyrics about “chewing with an open mouth” and a “blood drool” that “attracts the flies”. Ironically, it's one of the catchiest tunes on the collection.

The bottom line is this, if you love Editors, you will like this album. The title track alone is worth the purchase price and will likely wind up one of ny favorites of the year. If you're expecting a third album with the same sound as the first two, however, you will be disappointed. 

Sometimes one has to go away a bit to come back even stronger. I have no doubt that this detour will only make Editors shine even brighter as they continue to evolve. 

Chris McKay / concertshots.com

Comments or questions should be directed to chris@concertshots.com