March Album of the Month: Lightfoot “Scarlet Sails”

I’ve been following Lightfoot for some time now, so it’s no surprise that I’ve been anxiously awaiting Jessica Dye and company’s first full-length release, Scarlet Sails.

The album includes three brand new songs and new productions (vast improvements with layer upon layer of additional reverberating goodness) of the three songs from their last release, People Who Throw Kisses Are Hopelessly Lazy.

Lightfoot’s music draws heavily on influences of the 50s, 60s, and 70s without specifically pigeonholing themselves into any one era. There are traces of 60s psychedelic garage rock on the opening track, “Pow Wow”, there’s sensible dancehall doo-wop dripping all over the empowered “City Girls”, and “Caged Bird” echoes a version of New Orleans gospel that manages to be lamenting yet remorseless. Ironically, the song least remniscent of the era is titled “1963” in case you somehow missed all the signs along the way.

Jessica Dye’s voice has always been seductive and powerful, but the production of Scarlet Sails and the thoughtfully layered arrangements really bring her vocal emotion to the forefront. Throaty growls, breathy confessions, and belting choruses all find their place on these tracks amidst bold guitar lines, moody brass, and a full spectrum of percussion.

If I have any criticism of the album, it’s the brevity – I would have loved a few more songs to develop the album’s mood further. However, as it stands, this is a very strong release from a great, young band. Highly recommended! –Jarrett