Snow Patrol's
Gary Lightbody is an ambitious fellow. Within ten months,
the Reindeer Section recorded a second album,
Son of Evil Reindeer, to follow up the critical indie hit
Y'All Get Scared Now, Ya Hear! Again,
Lightbody gathered some of his Scottish musical mates like
Eva's Jenny Reave,
Arab Strap's
Aidan Moffat, and Richard Colburn and
Mick Cooke of
Belle & Sebastian, but added
Roddy Woomble (
Idlewild),
Eugene Kelly (
Eugenius,
the Vaselines), and Norman Blake (
Teenage Fanclub) to the musical fray, for a total of 27 artists.
Son of Evil Reindeer is an emotional album, far more somber and inquisitive.
Lightbody looks into the mind's spiritual journeys and derives a glowing batch of songs. The inner beauty of Scotland can be heard throughout
Son of Evil Reindeer, but
the Reindeer Section focus on human conditions.
Lightbody's low, glassy vocals sweep over the coolness of "Grand Parade" and "Budapest." The charming vocal combo of
Kelly, Blake, and Reave breathes a freshness on "Strike Me Down," but pure pop bliss stretches further on the countrified romp of "You Are My Joy."
Moffat is a muzzy, slick vocal crooner on "Whodunnit?," making this track the album's golden moment. The Reindeer Section are clever in their use of intricate instrumentation, making the lo-fi sketch of
Son of Evil Reindeer sound more cohesive. It's sun-kissed with love-themed songs, and
Lightbody should be applauded. His musical vision combines simple, charming melodies and threads of brass and electronica. It's a magical formula. His songwriting, too, has shaped into a delightful book of discovery. Indie pop fans, brace yourselves for a daydream trip. ~ MacKenzie Wilson