24 August 2010
Two years ago, when Miami Horror’s Benjamin Plant recorded and released his EP, Bravado out of a makeshift studio in his bedroom,The Justice meets Daft Punk meets Midnight Juggernaughtscomparisons ensued.
Miami Horror, a one-man mastermind back then, received rave reviews for his ‘80s disco-on-downers sound. Now, Miami Horror is a four-piece, with Dan Whitechurch on keys, guitarist Josh Moriarty(currently plays for Peacocks, ex-Young & Restless) and Aaron Shanahan on drums Their debut album, Illumination has placed Plant in a league of his own.
As a concept album, Illumination’s song titles and overall impact draw from one theme, light. Each song depicts a different shade, taking listeners on a ride through electro-pop, shiny disco and deep-funk affiliations. Illumination tips its hat to past collaborators Pnau with its commercial harmonies (see Sometimes) but also to electro legendsNew Order with tracks Moon Theory and Summersun.
Plant’s quirky overlaying of synths and guitar make it hard to pigeon hole Miami Horror into a genre or era; some lyrics and fade-downs reek of cheese but it’s tracks like I Look To You that redeem Illumination and push electro boundaries. The track Grand Illusionproves how crucial a live band recording is, the guitar and drums mixed with random electronic beats take its chill-wave sound to a new level.
Miami Horror have created a lightweight record with much commercial appeal. Plant has succeeded in getting his concept across; it’s a summer party backdrop with heavy house basslines, a mixture of light and dark whilst maintaining commercial accessibility.
Miami Horror, a one-man mastermind back then, received rave reviews for his ‘80s disco-on-downers sound. Now, Miami Horror is a four-piece, with Dan Whitechurch on keys, guitarist Josh Moriarty(currently plays for Peacocks, ex-Young & Restless) and Aaron Shanahan on drums Their debut album, Illumination has placed Plant in a league of his own.
As a concept album, Illumination’s song titles and overall impact draw from one theme, light. Each song depicts a different shade, taking listeners on a ride through electro-pop, shiny disco and deep-funk affiliations. Illumination tips its hat to past collaborators Pnau with its commercial harmonies (see Sometimes) but also to electro legendsNew Order with tracks Moon Theory and Summersun.
Plant’s quirky overlaying of synths and guitar make it hard to pigeon hole Miami Horror into a genre or era; some lyrics and fade-downs reek of cheese but it’s tracks like I Look To You that redeem Illumination and push electro boundaries. The track Grand Illusionproves how crucial a live band recording is, the guitar and drums mixed with random electronic beats take its chill-wave sound to a new level.
Miami Horror have created a lightweight record with much commercial appeal. Plant has succeeded in getting his concept across; it’s a summer party backdrop with heavy house basslines, a mixture of light and dark whilst maintaining commercial accessibility.
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