| CD REVIEW Lars And The Hands Of Light |
 |
|
Band : Lars And The Hands Of Light Lars Vognstrup is not exactly an unknown entity in Denmark’s musical landscape. Lead singer for Metal act Rauncky for about 10 years, he debuted as co-founder of Electro Pop band Money Your Love and scored a Danish hit with the song “For Kristoffer”. While touring with label mates Junior Senior, he founded the band Wolfkin, who went on to release the Brand New Pants album which was received warmly in Scandinavia, Germany, Iceland, Switzerland, Austria, and the USA. While touring there with Junior Senior, Lars met the band IMA Robot in Los Angeles, and was promptly offered the chance to join ‘em. During his stay in the Californian city Lars started a career as DJ and was asked to join Dead Man’s Bones. Life in LA and playing in so many bands inspired Lars to write a bunch of new songs, and things became clear to him that he needed to move back home in order to concentrate on his music. Upon his return to Copenhaven he founded Lars And The Hands Of Light, the band including his sister Line, Thomas Stück, jeppe Östergaard, and Rasmus Valldorf. Sorry I cannot tell you what their instrumental functions are in the band, but I simply could not get that info myself. One thing’s certain, Line brings some very nice and moody backings to Lars’ somewhat nasal vocals. In fact, one of the better tracks on the album, at least in my eyes, is “Multicoloured”, where she is given a duet role and where her wacky vocal deflection come through best. In the other songs her voice is kept more in the background, with a more angelic touch…and that’s a pity! Oh…the music, right!? Well, expect a nice Pop with influences from Soul and girl bands from the ’60, some ‘70s Rock, and ’80s Synth Pop. Obviously, the guitars have a vintage sound, with very little or no distortion…but with an occasional twang to ‘em! Some of the songs are serenely intimate, others are more up-tempo, but each of ‘em are a joy to listen to, as they all celebrate life lyrically! You’ll find plenty of proof of this band’s great feeling for Pop music at myspace.com/larsandthehandsoflight. But know that LATHOL are soon touring Europe, and even visiting our neighborhood (Belgium : go to Arlon’s Les Aralunaires festival on May 1, or to Gent’s Café Video on May 4. Holland : several dates/ places before and in between – check it out). 88/100 Tony. |