Ex Lowland’s front man Edward Abbiati’s 2023’s TO THE LIGHT is the literally electric follow up to the dusty Americana of BEAT THE NIGHT. The dreamlike street art sleeve imagery carries on, but there is definite growth in the sound and scope of the music.
“Three Chords And The Truth” is both a wry reflection and a love song, delivered with Pogues energy over classic rock n roll guitar and Enrico Fossati’s twanging bass. The furious swirl on “Nothing Left To Say” doesn’t let up on music to pogo and move to. Winston Watson’s drums bring the funk, but classic rock “Just About Now” is more reflective with the punky Van Morrison energy balanced by anthemic lyrics, sweet brass and strings. By contrast “Rags” is one of those dusty talking folk blues that Abbiati does so well. The lyrics talk of relocation, with his voice adding depth and emotion.”Stairs To The Stars” adds electricity and fire to Edward’s Americana. “Coast Of Barcelona” has the most glorious ‘on the money’ guitar and hammond intro. The international song has a real southern rock, 70s Stones, Primal Scream Memphis feel with Mike Brenner’s lap steel and gospel backing vocals behind Edward’s weary vocal. “To The Light” brings an 80s new wave terseness to the Tom Petty like song, alongside great guitar from Maurizio Glielmo and more glorious B3. The 60s are alive and well in “Going Downtown”, coursing through the “Ball Of Confusion” bass line, Glielmo’s wah wah guitar and Abbiati’s protest song vocal. Imagine swampy Bobby Gillespie shimmying through “For What It’s Worth”. Intelligent brass swells and sweetens bluesy tracks like the Mike Scott like “One Step At A Time”. “Love Note” has the albums final big intro, swaggering into a huge sounding song about sharing the love. As the final track on this very live and real sounding album I imagine a full band, filling a stage and the speakers on what sounds like a soulful warm encore song.
I loved BEAT THE NIGHT, TO THE LIGHT turns it up and brings an E Street Band warmth and breadth to Abbiati’s music and finds the soul review in his music.
Marc Higgins 06/12/23
https://www.appaloosarecords.it/shop/Edward-Abbiati-c155894023
Appaloosa Records 10 tracks
Time Past and Time Passing 