Luke Leighfield, it's really hard to like you. You are the sort of artist whose fans are likely to be dismissive and unbearably militant and defensive when they're told that you're actually not all that good. You've got a lot going for you, though. You're a talented young man, but you rely so unbearably heavily on your influences and the assumption from most people that you're quite unique among your contemporaries (who you sweetly thank in the liner notes) that it's difficult to be more motivated about singing your limited praises.
It's not the intention to be hurtful, it's actually necessary. And fear not, this review will revert to an indirect description instead of a direct appraisal soon enough. Hard stuff first, evidence in a minute. And a change of perspective. Fan The Flames contains no little skill and cheek, but it's the kind of skill and cheek that would have been inventive had some of the most skilful, cheeky, respected, famous and inventive names in popular music had been taking the same flight and been flown into a wall. As a work, it has no regard for authenticity of expression, inventiveness of arrangement (outside of the artist's immediate peers, anyhow) or anything that resembles a truly memorable tune. And that is very, very important to this sort of record.
Belle & Sebastian, Brian Wilson, Paul McCartney, Kate Nash, The Delgados, Hefner, David Gedge, Camera Obscura, Teenage Fanclub and Neutral Milk Hotel… is how a list of artists who render Luke Leighfield pointless might begin. While that's an extremely crude and childish way to make a point, it is difficult to care when you hear a lyric like “my lyrics are simple, you know what I mean / nothing's clouded in metaphor so you're looking straight at me” delivered with such idiocy and naivety. And the “clouded” simile is pretty close anyway. Are you scared they won't crack your code, Luke? Naivety itself is not a bad thing at all, but when it's delivered with such a smart-arse hint that Leighfield actually could, if he wanted, deliver much more complex lines, it becomes utterly disgusting. Naivety only works when it's genuine, not when you let on that you know you're cleverer than that. Arrogance rather than innocence is what we're given.
What the press release claims is 'extravagant' instrumentation should more accurately be labelled 'functional'. No subtlety further than extreme volume and extreme quiet is employed, and the instrumental arrangements themselves are terribly simplistic. Most people make the mistake of assuming the genius of Pet Sounds (another crude example to serve a simple point, please stay with it) lies within the range of instrumentation, but it really resides in the way that Brian Wilson used his instruments to give life to his already inventive chord progressions. Conversely and, again, crudely, the arrangements of Fan The Flames could be described as the 'you can't polish a turd' maxim. The turd of his leaden base material is by no means redeemed by the cleansing wipe of equally leaden extraneous instrumentation. It's all ineffective, self-referential suspensions and held strings over basslines dreamt up in the cotton fields of the Great Depression.
Already, too many words have been written about this record. Have three points, and only because a lot of wasted effort went into recording it. Join a band and play someone else's songs, Luke Leighfield.
Harsh!
Its no 'All My Friends', is it Dan?
haha. Quite enjoyed that review.
Burn!
Looks like I got owned. Who are you going to give the CD to Daniel?
you can
give me the CD, i still haven't bought it yet (maybe soon, luke)
Petty
To me this article is nothing but petty, unneccessary jibes. Surely if you do not want to hear music that is vaguely similar to something you have previously heard (ie. Neutral Milk Hotel) you shouldn't be reviewing new music?
In all honesty there are only 88 keys on a piano so no music can be truly original and it would also be highly difficult to find someone who had no other musical influences unless they had lived as a recluse under an oversized pebble for their entire life.
Regardless, Luke Leighfield is doing something he seemingly enjoys, with over 11,000 'friends'. Daniel Ross Vs. The fans = undoubtedly hilarious consequences :)
Highest regards,
Kathryn
PS. I think Luke Leighfield is great.
"over 11,000 friends"
What a genuine measure of talent. Thank fuck for this review (particularly the comments about the naive lyrics), I was beginning to think I was alone in disliking his music round here.
Seconded
Over and over and over again
3rd...ed?
I literally can't stand this guys music.
Anyone needs proof of his absolute lack of talent needs to hear his Christmas single......good god.
'Daniel Ross Vs. The fan'
would undoubtedlty be hilarious, if only because some of his fans can't seem to grasp what a review is...
hahaahahahah
'so no music can be truly original'
i guess
reviewers might have wanted to be musicians but were shit so became reviewers
i've got a music degree.
that was petty of me, i know. but i do, so i know how to write music. unlike the general populus, i recognise the fact that i have nothing original or worthwhile to contribute musically, so i spend time trying in print to get closer to the definition of what one should or shouldn't compose to meet those goals. Luke leighfield, in my opinion, doesn't come very close to embodying them.
Del
I'm sure I can fix you up with one still in the shiny wrapping. You did buy me pizza last time we met after all.
chin up bwoy
Luke Leighfield
I love his Fan The Flames cd. How can anyone be so harsh
Luke Leighfield
<3..and that.
this review=
ridiculous and i agree with most of what unefleurviolet says'.
this albums great good clean pop fun.
no doubt about it.
and lukes lovely.
sincerly, disgruntled fan.
perhaps when signing up for accounts
a bit of guidance might be offered by DiS, saying something like "if you sign up just to defend an artist who's recieved a bad review/bad press, don't. it will only make you look silly and make it look like the artist has retard fans." or words to that effect
Retards=
Do not use correct grammar.
:)
hmmm
I don't disagree with reviews which give their opinion on if an artist really shouldn't bother trying for various reasons. I think making your point a bit too much, showing you can make it in so many different words and sentences is unecessary. Unless you want to work for the NME
i dont like luke leighfield
cos he has a self run fan club.
POINTLESS
How do I comment on the music of an incredibly, egotistical, untalented young man? Simple...i make comments befitting the musician; irrelevant:
'luke touched me up in my english seminar'
MUSIC = GASH
just realised
This is the reviewer, DANIEL ROSS who reviewed Paul Marshall's album, one of the shittest and most incorrect reviews on DrownedinSound. Ignore this review and listen to Luke Leighfield's music and make a judgement yourself. But dont listen to one word of this pointless, personal attack. Man up daniel and dont be so fucking immature. Shit reviews like this and paul marshall's is what is taking me and so many other people away from this site which was once good and is now just an excuse to slate something to pointless heights.
the worst thing about this review is this:
Belle & Sebastian... The Delgados, Hefner... Camera Obscura, Teenage Fanclub
these are bands I love and in no fucking way is Luke leighfield either comparible or a patch on any of them.
other than that
sorry, its a really good review.
the first paragraph especially, hits nail on head.
say what you like about the album...
the man is well worth seeing live. actually really funny, confident, articulate... i think i wanted to hate him, but was happy to discover i really enjoyed his set. i think the honesty and simplicity of his songs come over much better live (and possibly without extra instumentation). i think the reviews pretty harsh, especially in regards to 'authenticity of expression', he clearly means what he says, and expresses himself in an admirably direct way. Thats pretty authentic in my eyes.
Leighfield
When I first listened to Luke Leighfield he left a bad taste in my mouth. As someone who finds lyrical content a huge part of making a great song I found his obvious and unpoetic words offensive. But i found myself going back to the record and by the third listen I became quite addicted to its huge sound. Having found out how DIY this record was made and the work he puts in to touring the country i found myself feeling a lot of admiration for Luke Leighield and I know respect everything he does. Apart from moments of horrid lyrics this is a great record. If their is room for Kate Nash their is certainly enough room for Luke Leighfield. With his band he is astoundingly good live as well.
Another thing to remember is never take reviewers too seriously as they are after all journalists and not musicians and without journalists there would still be musicians and songwriters. Their same cannot be said the other way round.
Hello
Hey! I am a dismissive, unbearably militant and defensive Luke Leighfield fan.
Luke Leighfield makes pop music, and he makes it, in my opinion, in a very enjoyable, light hearted and fun way. He makes for a good time whilst having a good time too. He's created something which combines the less sophisticated areas of pop music and pop music which appeals to people who don't like to admit they like pop music. But that's definitely what it is, and all this album has done to offend you is not be so completely up itself that it's pretending it's not pop music, like all the bands you mentioned above. It's a little bit cheesy and you think his lyrics are arrogant and it lacks "inventiveness of arrangement" (pretty sure it's not a valuable criticism to dig at a musician for using his friends on his album, particularly as believe it or not musicians of Luke's calibre are usually on a budget), but the bottom line of it is that it is (if you got your head out of your ass) alot of fun
It seems to me that this review is more a personal problem with Luke than a fair unbiased review of the music he's created. What you're actually doing is being ignorant to the subtle light heartedness and self-depreciative humour in this album.
This is probably the worst review I've ever read, as it's not a musical review it's a string of unnecessary personal digs at an artist who just wants to have a good time and make fun music, and for this reason I really don't think the music alone could have left you feeling so deeply offended.
Whatever your problem with the album or Luke personally was, your review sucks, you're not funny and you need to get your head out of your ass.
after reading this review again..
I enjoyed it,and I think it's not as bad as it sounds. He accepts his talent and in a very crude tone is encouraging Luke to think more forwardly. Anyway, I think this record would have been so much more successful if it was actually produced well. I can't take the awful balance and the snare drum gives me a headache. And the whole record sounds really tinny. Sort all this out on the next album and hopefully for the single and he'll be on his way. For a style which is so easy to hate or conversely, hard to like (at first) - presentation and delivery of the music is essential. Failing this, there really will be no hope.
P.s. I really wanted to hate Luke's music too. When I first heard it I thought it was so boring and unoriginal and thought it was the kind of music that wasn't going to get me any fit girls, so I slammed it. But after more listens (obligatory - after going on tour with him) I got to love it. I don't know whether this makes a good or bad record. I'd ultimately say good, but for the modern consumer, this is bad. Scene before music I'm afraid these days
accidentally pressed the reply button
So to like his music I think is crucial to your open-minded, music-loving part of your personality. And everyone I've met who loves Luke's music has that open mind.
Basically, you know you have a healthy, open-minded music taste which ignores peer pressure and superficiality if you can love his music. Go to one of his gigs and you will get that look of agreement from people in the room.
It's a challenge, but the results are well worth it
how is
christian piano pop a challenge?
Luke Leighfield
Is the musical equivalent of wet spam - unappealing, tasteless and indigestible