Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

There is something unerringly beautiful about the music of Science of the Lamps. Almost mythical in its presentation, stunning in its creation and just that pinch of Nordic noir/folk fairytale that filters through and gives the eponymous E.P. the type of storytelling and poetic mixture that craves attention.

The E.P. sees the band, the sublime Grethe Borsum and Kaya Herstad Carney sharing musical duties on vocals, acoustic and electric guitars and keyboards and with Paul Reay on bass. This Nordic influence is completed by some excellent session work by the backing singers, The Usherettes, otherwise known as Emily Jackson, Mersey Wiley, Jan Ross and Siobhan McGuckian. Accompanying them are the superb Faroe Isles’  musician Greta Svabo Bech on violin and hardanger, Ben Stafford on piano, accordion by Helen Maher, drums by the marvellous Mark Brockelsby and completed by the exquisite Luke Moore on cello. This distinct and contrasting set of musicians comes into its own to make Science of the Lamps an absolute joy to listen to.

The E.P. is not just a collection of good songs, each track for the listener is held together by memories of childhood, the narrative of each piece of music is heart breaking and beguiling, lyrics that belong in some of the best poetry books around and combined with music that shouldn’t exist in any realm of imagination. This combination sees tracks such as the picturesque and charming Duckling Hell and well written 27 Club Reject. The stand out track is Fight for Him with its East European feel and stunning accordion playing by Helen Maher merging with the delicate keyboard sounds. The result is one of delicate danger fused with seamless integrity.

Science of the Lamps have been quietly biding their time, quite rightly content to build up the message of the enchanted like quality of their music hold live audiences entranced. Now the message has taken on another life and it seems as if the group should be unstoppable. Memorable and exciting with just the hint of ethereal whimsy that makes this Science of the Lamps E.P. a must have.  

Ian D. Hall