Fifteen years between albums is a bit long, to be honest. It’s not quite Sisters of Mercy territory (36 years and counting), but you could argue that you lose a bit of momentum when the gap between debut and follow-up is enough to raise a child or mature a single malt whisky. At least you might make a case with such arguments if Time In The Light was not so damn great. Good things come to those that wait, and all that.
Just the opener alone, ‘Fireworks’ a reminder of the human horror and grim grandeur of the First World War via references to its iconic poets, is worth the wait, an anthemic start, rock writ large, almost proggy, in its sophistication, soaring and seductive in equal measure and if I were to break out the obscure reference points, reminding me in terms of tone and talent of IQ’s ‘Common Ground.’
The title track gently links to this portrayal of a waste of life by contrastingly reminding us to embrace every precious moment, a message delivered via dreamy sonics and gently shuffled beats; balladic and beautiful; ‘Warships’ is dramatic and dark, and ‘My Saving Grace’ is a final love letter to life, loved ones, and those left behind.
By the time we get to ‘The Last Day’, the album’s overall theme of making the most of life signs off with the last survivor on earth walking around the silent streets as humanity finally breathes its last. A poignant message of the fragility and brevity of not only individual lives but, in the grand scheme of things, us as a species.
Time in the Light is a glorious album, not only a celebration of life, a reminder to live well for the time allotted to you, that we only pass this way once, that there is no dress rehearsal, but a sonic triumph too. It blends shimmering, anthemic rock with ornate musical structure; it weaves lyrical heart into gorgeous harmonies; it has moments of muscle amongst its mellifluous melody; it is big and clever; it blends grace and grit and, to underline the point I made on the way in…it is well worth the wait. (But now with listeners’ tastes piqued, please don’t make us wait another fifteen years.)
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