Bell X1
Blue Light on the Runway
Yep Roc
By Eileen Tilson
On
a recent interview on a local New York radio station, Paul Noonan, of
Ireland's favorite "art-pop" band Bell X1, tells the story of a boy and girl who
met randomly in Ireland with the intentions of meeting one day in New York
City. Their paths had crossed too early, and she gave him a picture to remember
her by so that one day they would meet up again at St. Mark's Cathedral.
Thus "The Ribs of a Broken Umbrella," the opening track off of Bell X1's latest
release Blue Lights On the Runway, was inspired. The deceivingly
sophisticated, yet humorous, album is Noonan's "better band," with songs that
reflect vintage Echo and the Bunnymen and Talking Heads complete with a sweet
chanting choir swaying in the background of the guitars and synthesizers that
are littered throughout the CD.
met at school in Ireland's North County Kildare, Noonan, Geraghty and Phillips
first recorded as members of Juniper, whose lead singer was Damien Rice. After
Rice departed to launch his solo career, Noonan, Geraghty, Phillips and Crosby
regrouped and renamed themselves Bell X1, borrowing the name of the first plane
to break the sound barrier.
debuted with 2000's Neither Am I, produced by Crowded House member Nick
Seymour. That disc grew a modest cult following in Ireland, where the band's
endless touring won them a reputation as a powerful live act. The sophomore
effort Music in Mouth followed in 2003, and established Bell X1 as both a
major attraction and a favorite in its homeland, while winning the group
increasing popularity in Europe.
Lights on Runway, Bell X1's fourth studio effort, the band delivers a
compelling set of melodically infectious, emotionally resonant new tunes whose
colorful lyrics are informed by a quirky assortment of offbeat observations and
unconventional personal experiences.
on the Runway has it all. It has the beautiful ballads in “Light Catches
Your Face” and “The Curtains Are Twitchin,’” where as in the cowbell-lead “A
Better Band” and lead single “The Great Defector,” Bell X1 returns to
Flock to write great pop rock songs. To cement the album as the band’s
best work to date, “Amelia” redefines what the band can do at their best. This
is only the beginning for the heights that this band are about to reach. They
combine the perfect amount of poppy hook and good musicianship for something
that will leave everyone feeling like they are "the chocolate at the end of my
cornetto."
