Brighter - Out to Sea

  by Chris Jones

published: 24 / 1 / 2007

---

'Out to Sea' is the second Brighter compilation CD released by Matinee records and this time around they have dug deep into the vaults for a number of the songs. The CD has 6 previously unreleased songs, 5 songs from hard to find German flexis, a rare compilation track, and 8 songs from the fabulous 'Laurel' mini-LP. The songs from 'Laurel' will probably be enough for most fans of the band to track down this CD. 'Christmas', 'Frostbite', 'Ocean Sky', 'Summer Becomes Winter', watery/pastoral pop gems with layered guitars and keyboards and Keris Howard's subdued, introspective vocals - these songs are Brighter. A beautiful sense of uplifting melancholy. And while Brighter might be better known for their sombre moments, many of the unreleased tracks on this CD do a great job of showing the more upbeat side of the band. 'If I Could See' and 'Wallflower' were recorded at the same time as the songs on 'Laurel', but somehow ended up not making the cut. Both songs have a nice jangly-ness to them and are sure to get your toes tapping. The flexi tracks, originally released on German labels Blam-A-Bit and Sturm und Drang, continue the more upbeat vibe and capture the band at a time when they sound very young. Even here though, the layering of guitar, keyboard, and Howard's vocals is already present and working wonders - and the band sounds downright happy on 'Looks Like Rain'! The CD also adds 4 songs that were recorded for the never released debut album and that weren't included on 'Laurel'. 'There Is Nothing We Can Do' gives us some more upbeat vibes, this time adding what sounds like a flute to the mix. 'Nothing At All', 'Hope To God', and 'Amy Never Knew' bring us back to the more sombre side of Brighter. These songs could have easily been at home on the 'Laurel' mini-LP (It almost seems that 'Laurel' could have been a double LP!!!). The last song on the CD, 'Still', comes from the rare 'Beckett House' compilation. It is yet another fine example of the beautiful melancholy that Brighter was able to create. Simple guitar lines over keyboard tones with Howard's soft vocals floating on top. Brighter frontman Keris Howard says "'Out To Sea' is very much a compilation for completists". While this compilation combined with 2003's 'Singles 1989 - 1993' does indeed complete the Brighter story. This is no mere collection of bits and scraps. Many of the songs on this CD are longtime fan favorites and it seems that some of the unreleased songs may become favorites as well - just 15 years later.

Track Listing:-

1 Christmas
2 Frostbite
3 Summer Becomes Winter
4 Something To Call My Own
5 Ocean Sky
6 Out To Sea
7 Maybe
8 Journey's End
9 If I Could See
10 Wallflower
11 Airhead
12 Don't Remember
13 Next Summer
14 Looks Like Rain
15 Falling
16 There Is Nothing We Can Do?
17 Nothing At All
18 Hope To God
19 Amy Never Knew
20 Still

Label Links:-

http://matineerecordings.com/
https://www.facebook.com/matineerecordings

Post A Comment

---

Comment

Name

your name

Location

ie London, UK

Submit

Check box to submit

Adam Coxon
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson

Dixie Ernill
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart

Malcolm Carter
Marie Hazelwood
Mark Rowland
Nick Dent-Robinson
Nicky Crewe
Nige Nudds
Philamonjaro
Richard Lewis
Shirley Procter
Spencer Robertshaw
Steev Burgess
Steve Kinrade

Steve Miles
Tommy Gunnarsson
Zena Grieg