It has been four years since I was first introduced to the first song ever written by a band known as Waking Lights, entitled “Sharks” off of their debut EP Songs for Jo. Waking Lights, One of Northern New Jersey’s freshest indie-folk rock groups that is better described as a band, but best described as a family, have been making music apart and together for way over a decade. It is evident in their music that their chemistry is offset by dedication and devotion to their sound and each other.
During an early-fall evening in 2005 I was riding passenger seat to my good friend Abigail Joslyn, listening to music in her car, I soon found myself catching ear to something with soft sparks and a pulsing beat, it was hard to believe something this catchy could be made by guys literally right down the street, but so it was, a neighborhood band offering something new to our hometown area.
Matthew Maroulakos (lead vocals, guitar), Dana LaMarca (drums, percussion), Kyle McCammon (double/electric bass), Tom Maroulakos (lowery organ, piano), and Jodi Mozeika (vocals, cello) featuring Nicole Scorsone (violin) and newly added member Justin Sabaj (guitar) have come back to offer their audience a personal memoir, a piece of something from the road, an elaboration of where exactly it all began.
The Rabbit Hole which launched on November 21st, 2009, has really raised the bar for Waking Lights, Dana admits, “Songs for Jo was a cleaner and warmer record, it appealed to a bunch of people, we were still trying to find ourselves. To me this album kind of turned into a strange kind of honesty.”
The image and appeal of both the band members and the style of material have evolved; Songs for Jo is written from a warm sensitive place looking for compassion where as The Rabbit Hole is here to rattle your bones and perhaps give you a chill or two. The Rabbit Hole ultimately generates the feeling of togetherness that for band members and listeners is something a little less gentle, and bit more involved.
Beginning with the first track, "Where it all Began," Matthew recalls, “How we smiled in the pictures we took when we were thinner, danced until the party was dead/ until the party was dead.” This song captures the heart of the album, Matthew admits, “ Really when I wrote this song, I imagined a cute couple dancing and just enjoying the moment.” However, this introduction does not set the tone for the rest of the album. In fact, it may lead you to believe that this is just Songs for Jo part 2 because of its fragility and syrupiness, but the tone makes a turn around once we are introduced to "Lady in Rincon," the second track off the album.
"Lady in Rincon," my personal pick of the album is rackety and rushing. The band is pushing hard but just steady enough that all efforts can be celebrated not deprecated. The punchy pulse is off set by bluesy guitars and Matthew’s matching vocals the album story begins to unveil. The theme of sex, drugs, falling into an unknown abyss, The Rabbit Hole. This is followed by an appropriately titled track 3, "Only the Sex", an interesting genre blender, as it is a stand apart track on the record. Matthew and Jodi blend sultry vocals as the strings take on a Latin flavor. Matthew makes sure to remind us “It’s okay to love sex and have it with people.”
The fourth Track, “We All Die Alone” is the shortest track on The Rabbit Hole, at a complete seventy-six seconds, it winds us down and allows us to grovel about the weaker parts of ourselves, as for the meaning, well, its all in the title.
The fifth and final track “Never Meant to Hurt You”, makes quite an impression as a closer. Tom jump-starts the song while lightly tapping the organ while Matthew and Jodi create a passionate confession that could really only end by saying “Shoopey doo, I never meant to hurt you.”
If you like what you are hearing visit Waking Lights at www.wakinglights.com & a their Myspace http://www.myspace.com/wakinglights
Be sure to check out Waking Lights at Highline Ballroom On Saturday Feb 27th 2010 doors @ 6pm!
