Album Review: Neils Children - Dimly Lit
- Written by Kenneth McMurtrie
Neils Children (former new Mods then new Goths) haven’t exactly been prolific when it comes to albums in their decade-long career. Dimly Lit is only their third and it heralds another shift in style for the group (now a duo) once touted for big things on the New Untouchables circuit and other similar mod revival platforms.
Following their 2008-ish change to a sound that was a Cure/Horrors hybrid (a change that smacked of scene leaders now becoming the lead, no matter how proficient) their recent relocation to France has resulted in that harsher mid-period sound being replaced by a more traditionally psychedelic one. Pretty effective it is too in marrying Barrett-era Pink Floyd with more contemporary indie chops and a faint menace.
Typical elements such as flutes, phasing, double-tracked vocals etc. flow in, out of and around some noticeably harder edged sounds, particularly on ninth song 'Trust You' whilst closer 'What's Held In My Hands' utilises what could very well be a mellotron to introduce a far darker tone than was hinted at 40 odd minutes previously on first track 'At A Gentle Pace'. This is a trip that chews you up and spits you out.
Also-rans of an earlier decade such as Mantaray and Marion often spring to mind when Neils Children are mentioned but with Dimly Lit they manage to show that, rather than donning and throwing off different musical guises for short-lived fame (Soup Dragons take note), they have a chameleon-like nature that should stand them in good stead to still be producing solid work for some time to come, albeit at their own unhurried pace.
Dimly Lit is available now and can be purchased via either of the following links amazon