Review Summary: This is a great release! "You Don't Belong Here" by Sunlight Ascending is the follow up I would expect from them after their sensational debut, "All The Memories, All At Once".
This is a great release! "You Don't Belong Here" by Sunlight Ascending is the follow up I would expect from them after their sensational debut, "All The Memories, All At Once". It's hard to say who the lead guitarist is because it really doesn't say; in fact, I'm not even sure you can say there is lead guitar on this recording or in this band. What there is are three guitarists acting as one; no one overpowers the other; no one hogs the spotlight. Its a complete group effort with more than adequate bass and drumming. I wish it were a longer recording though. The four-song length just leaves me wanting more.
The opener, "Winter (Diorama Dream)", starts off with swirls and atmospherics before storming into a nice melodic riff and then exploding all together. It rocks, quiets down and then rocks again. The middle stretch where the guitars simmer down is what this band is all about. The trade-off of the three guitars is exquisite. When most teenagers are listening to Avenged Sevenfold, Bullet For My Valentine or Underoath, these kids are making music that actually makes you think. About what? Who cares. The point is, the music takes you wherever you want it to, and that's quite a feet for a band so young in the teeth!
Song two is introspective bliss. "Spring (This Was Your Place)" is softer, shorter and prettier than anything else on the record. It's not the best song, its just got a subtlety that would sound good when you're trying to get romantic with someone. Its not overbearing, not too long and a fine bit of songwriting. Its an obvious loop creation but that's not a bad thing in my opinion. I'm sure Sunlight Ascending has all the tools to pull this off live.
The third tune is the gem of the EP. "Summer (The Golden Plain). This song builds and builds into a fine frenzy of crashing guitars, driving drums, heavy bass and drips with emotion. Something about this song makes me want to listen to it again and again. It has a quality to it that seems straight from the U.K. This is not Motown; this is Manchester or Bimingham. It's songs like this that lead me to believe this band will be writing great music long into the future.
Speaking of long into the future, the closing cut, "Fall (Old Friends Part Ways)", takes you long into the future; it's a long song! It times in at 11:00, but seems longer. I don't know if that's a good thing or not but it is what it is. Perhaps the opening could have been reduced by a couple of minutes but what do I know? All I know is that once it gets moving its gloriously epic (Yes, I said that horrid word). Whatever the case the song has peaks and valleys, hard as dirt riffs and soft, subtle dreamlike guitars throughout. As the name implies, "Old Friends Part Ways", seems to take a relationship from beginning to end reflecting on all the good and the bad. It's a fitting conclusion to a truly emotional recording.
Believe it when I say give this band a listen. You won't be sorry!
