Cold Cave: Cherish The Light Years

Cold Cave
Cherish The Light Years
Matador Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: Cold Cave fire away with their energetic new wave attack on sophomore record Cherish The Light Years.

Album Review:
New wave is a genre that has never went away and every decade you can always count on another band reinterpreting it and making it their own. Cold Cave is the band of the hour, as their sophomore record Cherish The Light Years comes barreling at you with all synths blazing. The record is vibrant, loud and full of pulsating emotion. Trying to bring a sound more associated with the 80's into 2011 is not an easy task because there is a risk that it will just come off flat and goofy. One way to initially avoid this dilemma is to have a strong lead singer and Cold Cave has that in Wesley Eisold, as his voice is both muscular and compassionate with his low brooding croon that is memorable and likable. The second positive that Cold Cave have going for them on Cherish The Light Years is the power charged industrial/goth background noise that runs slightly through the undertone of this record, combined with its rapid fire drum machines. The balance then comes from Eisold's energetic delivery and the subtle instrument changes that range from trumpets on one track to more dance friendly beats on another. Mainstream may never get Cold Cave but if new wave ever had a chance to reclaim some fame and indie cred, Cherish The Light Years is the record to do it!

Key Tracks: "The Great Pan Is Dead", "Catacombs", "Icons Of Summer"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Depeche Mode
Interpol
New Order

Cold Cave Website
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Matador Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony