Soulsavers: The Light The Dead See

Soulsavers
The Light The Dead See
Mute Records [2012]









Fire Note Says: A meeting of like minds makes Soulsavers new LP with Dave Gahan fronting a totally new experience for both the listener and the band!

Album Review:
Soulsavers is the creative output of the production team of Rich Machin and Ian Glover and for their last two records vocalist Mark Lanegan has been the main voice and face of the band as their music was skewed to his gruff vocal and took on a more gritty undertone. Now for the groups fourth long player Depeche Mode frontman Dave Gahan takes over the reigns and as you might have guessed gives Soulsavers an entirely new sound.

The connection to Gahan came after the Soulsavers supported Depeche Mode on their European leg for the 09-10 tour and it turned out Dave was a big fan. From there Rich started sending him music and Gahan did the rest. The result is a very stylistic record that lets Gahan's vocals soar over bluesy organs, gospel choirs, strings, harmonica, guitar and piano. His flowing voice, that has ever been so prominent and powerful in Depeche Mode, fits the more laid back layout on The Light The Dead See and works 100% for the band.

The Light The Dead See is another solid match of musicianship and vocals for the Soulsavers as Gahan can easily meet their theatrical mood and grandiose song structures. This is not a record for a bright summer day but one that should be played in its entirety when it rains. The record, with Gahan's focused vocals, demands attention and takes multiple spins to sink in but when it connects - it really connects making this another Soulsavers collection to check out.

Key Tracks: "Longest Day", "Take Me Back Home", "Take"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Twilight Singers
David Bowie
Timber Timbre

Soulsavers: Broken [Fire Note Review 8/13/09]
Soulsavers: It's Not How Far You Fall, It's The Way You Land [Fire Note Review 10/18/07]

Soulsavers Website
Soulsavers Facebook
Mute Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony