Straylight Run: The Needles The Space

Album: The Needles The Space
Artist: Straylight Run
Websites: Official Website and MySpace

Following on from the success of 2004"s self-titled debut album and 2005"s Prepare to Be Wrong EP, The Needles The Space is the brand new album from Long Island, NY indie rockers Straylight Run. This new album, once again written by the multi-talented siblings John Nolan and Michelle DeRosa, showcases the brilliant lyrics and arrangements that make the group"s music so engaging. What is more surprising, however, is the complex and distinctive sound delivered.

Along with the provocative lyrics that characterize all their music, the band has packed every track to the bursting point with musical absurdities and eccentricities, and deliver them with contrasting vocal sounds and styles. The sound is rich and intriguing. The intricacy of lyrics and arrangement is such that it is, perhaps, an acquired taste - but the rewards for those who persist in delving beneath the surface of the music are well worth the effort.

Straylight Run consists of John Nolan (guitar, piano, vocals), Michelle DeRosa (guitar, piano, vocals), Shaun Cooper (bass) and Will Noon (drums). While the band did not start recording their debut album until 2004, the group has been around since mid-2003, when front man John Nolan (then a member of emo-rockers Taking Back Sunday) found many of his songs did not fit with his group’s sound. After a short period of ‘musical chairs’ with the group's line-up, and the introduction of John’s sister Michelle to the group, Straylight Run was born.

While it would be far too simple to reduce this album to a single word, ‘intriguing’ is certainly an accurate description of The Needles The Space. The ability to tailor vocal delivery and harmonizations to individual track moods is particularly impressive. Understated vocal work is used to highlight the light and dark contrast between the male and female vocal styles. The harmonizations are well-crafted, playing to the strengths of each to create a well-blended, sweet sound. The innate ability of sibling voices to harmonize may be something of a musical myth, but hearing Michelle and John sing together certainly lends weight to the assertion.

The complimentary vocals are used to full effect, highlighting similarities and creating vocal contrasts to impart mood and emotion onto the music. While John provides a strength and tempo to the music, delivering the necessary ‘impact vocals’ on tracks like "Soon We Will Be Living in the Future", Michelle’s vocals are often more passive. With apparent effortlessness on her part, Michelle is able to deliver the sort of unique, disembodied vocals reminiscent of Sarah Blasco and Katie Noonan. There is a haunting beauty to the sound, particularly in the upper register, without ever having to strive for big notes or big volume to make an impact on the listener.

While the accompanying instrumentation assumes a back seat for much of the album (putting the focus, correctly, on vocal delivery and lyrical evocation), the group still manage to deliver a rich and full sound. The combinations of guitar, drum and piano are delivered with subtlety and care. The sound and vocals are enriched and complemented by the backing, which serves to direct attention at other features of the music instead of itself.

The fact that the listener is largely unaware of the complexity and depth of the backing sound requires enormous skill and effort, and is a testament to the abilities of this impressive outfit. The polished finish of the tracks is clearly the result of much production effort. Far from detracting from the music, however, the allure of the music is greatly enhanced by this production; the sound is intended to be clean and smooth, without the raw, rough edges that suit other indie-rock works.

"Soon We Will Be Living in the Future" is the first single, and one of the most impressive tracks on the album. With a strong beat and structure, Nolan is able to let loose with powerful, emotive vocals. The backing is delivered with poise and precision, enhancing the impact of the vocals and maintaining the upbeat tempo of the track.

‘The Words We Say’ is a simple and beautiful track, highlighting the vocal strengths of the two lead singers, and offering soothing instrumentation and vocal harmonies.

I could go on praising the skill and appeal of this album, but what this music really demands is to be listened to. To truly appreciate the complex, intricate sound may take a number of listenings, so don’t be turned off if you aren’t immediately grabbed by the album. It is the subtlety, rather than the obvious crowd pleasing drum beats or guitar riffs, that make The Needles The Space so impressive and so engaging. Bon appetite!

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