A Flock Of Seagulls – The Light At The End Of The World
By Andrew Duncan • Mar 6th, 2009 • Category: Punk/New Wave/Hardcore, ReviewsA Flock Of Seagulls
The Light At The End of the World
1995 – Big Shot
Origin: Liverpool, England
Style: New Wave, New Romantic
The Light At The End Of The World is one of the more cliche ‘80s rock albums that was five years too late. In A Flock of Seagulls’ standards, this album does not even come close to the standard the band had developed, which is understandable because the only original member left in the band is vocalist/keyboardist Mike Score.
The album in itself is not bad, but it’s purely evident who is needed for A Flock Of Seagulls to exist in its element. Gone are the alien abduction thematics and strange paranoia twists. The New Romantic style is upped a notch with songs like “Magic” and Walking in the Garden.” The album’s single “Burnin’ Up,” demonstrates more of the party atmosphere dance sound that could easily be substituted in any ‘80s college comedy film than the strange synth pop that became as prominent as their signature hair styles.
“Ordinary Man” gives us a slight retrospect as to what the band was all about but with a more socio-political mantra than before. The reminiscing is quick lived as Mike Score is more interested in making love songs that are mediocre at best.
I can understand that if this album was released in 1989, it probably would have soaked up some of the interesting elements based on the style of music that surrounded it. However, this album came out in the mid-1990s, and something like this had absolutely no chance of survival.
Cross-Reference: The Romantics, Ultravox, and Spandeau Ballet.
Andrew Duncan is a journalist who has migrated to the forces of academia. He has written for various publications including Chord, Heckler, Readyset...Aesthetic, and a vast array of alternative press contributions. When not roaming the streets of Indianapolis, he is either addicted to KXCI, making music, or striving to watch every film listed on IMDB.
Email this author | All posts by Andrew Duncan
