From here the record becomes a bit more varied. And thankfully so, because there are gems of other kinds in wait. “Storm In A Teacup” is a definite departure from the opening tracks, providing a slower and more melancholy backdrop to hold lyrics relating to Andy's past, in particular his relationship with his Mum in light of her alcohol dependency. Other songs such as “Darlene” and the closer “Glass Angel” show the more personal and transparent aspect of the album.
Overall, the songwriting on Light at the End of the World is just really strong. At first deceptively simple and effortless, but with each listen growing richer and richer. “Fly Away” and “When a Lover Leaves You” in particular are just standout tracks and some of the nicest songs in the duo's ever-growing catalog. There are several songs on the album that I'm sure will quickly become fan favorites.
About the only complaint with the record is the horrid album cover. Looking like a cross between a rejected Zales advertisement and a flea market velvet painting, it's anything but subtle. You half expect a unicorn to fly by and give a playful wink (actually that would help). But since that's the best I can do in terms of negatives for the album, I'll leave this section brief.
Light at the End of the World is perfectly timed to come out at the beginning of Summer. It's full of breezy pop songs that hearken back to the group's heyday. At just under forty minutes (for the regular version), it's a bit short. But if you're like me, you'll quickly get in the habit of continually hitting repeat.
Article comments
1 - Jebb
Completely disagree on the album cover -- I think it's a welcome throwback to their '80s catalog. And I know I'm in the minority on this one, but I think Loveboat is an underrated gem. For me, Light at the End of the World doesn't hold up in the second half -- the best tracks are the first four.