Gabriel Bond - Single Review: Lights Burn Low
Class, sheer class. When I first heard this a face kept popping into my
head as to who this reminded me of, but it took ages for the synapses to snap
and finally it came into focus, Richard Marx. This is a song which is incredibly
well written and arranged (and from a reviewer’s perspective, it is exceedingly
rare to be provided with lyrics for a single), with the focus on the vocals and
the arrangement both sparse and delicate, yet supportive and providing the edge
where it is needed. Lyrically it is about a night out with a girl you're
falling for. It chronicles the night, from getting ready together, the walk
into town, moving in and out of bars, dancing and singing to a rock and roll
band, and eventually walking her home in the early hours of the morning, and
deciding to skip work so that it doesn't have to end. The song captures the
nervous excitement of getting to know someone and going out with them in those
early days.
It is a delight from start to end, taking us back to the Eighties where the main focus is the vocals, with just a hint of reverb and no other treatment, but with piano as a base and some nice electric guitar when it is needed and percussion that is just right. This is all about that night, which is special for both of them, as they need nothing else apart from each other. It is a classic rock song, with loads of space in the arrangement and the melodic vocals always front and centre. This is a song out of time and place, as this is what was hitting the charts more than 30 years ago and was destroyed by the advent of grunge, yet music as good as this can never die. It has been a year since the last single, let us hope that there is an album due in the near future as this is class, sheer class.
About Gabriel Bond
Hailing from the shores of Palm Beach, Waiheke Island, Gabriel has played shows to crowds all over Auckland City, Including headlining shows at venues like the Wine Cellar, and opening for Tiki Taane on Waiheke in 2018.
Over the past few years, Gabriel has been honing his craft and working with many up and coming artists and producers in the NZ music industry. He writes songs based mainly on his own life experiences, with lyrics about leaving home, falling in love and heartbreak.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Gabriel Bond
Releases
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