The Days of Lore

Turn on your Sweet Lights

Monday, March 28th, 2011 | musiX

Sometimes a simple pop song is all you need. No “post-[blah, blah, blah],” no “electro-[blech],” just pretty, no-frills pop. Shai Halperin is all about it. The former Capitol Years (that’s Daniel Johnston backing band The Capitol Years) guitarist returns to a simpler time with his new one-man operation Sweet Lights, not to be confused with The Lights, Old Light, or Lights.

However, it appears the Philly songwriter does have a proclivity for Electric Light Orchestra. Sweet Lights’ debut LP (available here for stream and download) taps into ’70s and ’80s pop rock. I wouldn’t call it sexy. It’s just … good. “A Hundred Needle Pins” is immediately catchy, a heavy nod to Jeff Lynne with subtle synths and tambourines. It’s goddamn dreamy, I tell you. It should, perhaps, come as no surprise that Halperin has lovingly re-imagined The Traveling Wilburys’ “Handle With Care” and “One Day” by the lovely Sharon Van Etten (also available on Sweet Lights’ Bandcamp). I give to you the antidote for escaping from this mad, mad world. Gorgeous stuff.

“A Hundred Needle Pins” - Sweet Lights

“Message on the Wire” - Sweet Lights

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Tags: Shai Halperin, Sweet Lights

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