Arbor Lights are a four-piece instrumental rock band who hail from Birmingham in England, where heavy metal was conceived. To many, post-rock consists of the usual four or so bands and Arbor Lights will probably get lumped in with EITS and Mogwai, but their songs are not long, drawn-out self-indulgent epics (and I don’t mean these are bad qualities by any means), having more in common with vocal-led indie and alternative rock or post-rock like that of fellow English act MINIONTV.
Using guitars, bass and drums plus some keys they use layering typical of post-rock but steer away from crescendocore, opting instead for short tunes – five in just 17 minutes in a genre that will often get 45 or more minutes from that number. With strong bass lines, loopy drums and simple melodic phrases it’s light listening too, without the post-metal influences of a lot of other instrumental rock, although there is good depth in the sounds.
The bass lines are great and brought up well in the mix, and lead us into the opening song ‘El Arborlito’ before guitars emerge over the top. Drums are also prominent in introductions, that all set about providing a feel that differs between tracks. Guitar is largely content with noodling, tremolo or picking out some cool melodies and hooks.
It’s fair to say this EP doesn’t crash through barriers and turn post-rock on its head, but that’s not always what matters. This is neat and tidy record that any post-rock fan would enjoy and makes a nice first course before something more substantial. Play it at the right time to the unconverted and you would be giving someone a worthy first taste of instrumental rock.
Arbor Lights can be found on bandcamp.
Posted by Gilbert Potts.
