Music: Fan the Flames - Luke Leighfield

Imagine a world without a little bit of clever piano-pop to make you smile. Yeah, it wouldn’t be a fun place. Thank God for Luke Leighfield.

Leighfield has been touring so hard for the past year that he’s just recently celebrated his 250^th gig. He’s not picky either; he’ll play in your front room, at your little brother’s birthday party, and in real big venues, too. And it’s easy to see that Luke Leighfield is all about his music and his fans; the CD leaf is covered in photos of friends and gig-goers. He’s even slipped a CD into the hands of Prince Charles himself, no joke.

Fan the Flames is Luke Leighfield’s second album and it is an instantly likeable collection of piano-led pop tunes. He’s dubbed himself ‘basically a second-rate Ben Folds,’ which is no bad thing as Leighfield has mastered the art of melodic piano pop which is memorable, honest and fun.

Title track, Fan the Flames, makes an impressive album opener; the piano is complimented by chirpy brass, strings and a masterful sax solo. This is the first of the album’s many catchy, piano-driven tracks served with masses of instrumental variety. Another stand-out track is Don’t Break Your Back, a cry for people to be themselves, which builds up to a soaring guitar solo and huge sing-along chorus. But it’s not all mile-a-minute power-pop, as the tempo slows for a handful of tracks such as Home, Scared and It Goes On. Leighfield’s voice easily carries off these more reflective songs, which also make excellent use of his very talented supporting instrumentalists. But, with a merry band of backing vocalists, upbeat drums and an epic brass section, it is I Got Soul which will have even the most pop-hating cynic up and dancing. You can’t hide from such unabashed, down-to-earth and downright infectious music-for-the-sake-of-music.

Fan the Flames is out on Got Got Need Records and £1 from every purchase goes to Tearfund.

www.myspace.com/simplylukeleighfield

Album score – 8/10 Refreshingly shameless piano-pop!

A Mixed Bag

Music I'm getting excited about:

Newton Faulkner - Hand Built By Robots
A tall fellow with majestic ginger dreadlocks who can slap, tap and strum a guitar til it gently weeps. Check out his amazing version of Massive Attack's 'Teardrop.' It might reduce you to tears.

Luke Leighfield - Fan the Flames
Claims to be 'basically a second-rate Ben Folds,' which is no bad thing. This album is full of pop tunes, amazing sax and guitar solos, lots of chances to sing along with a beer in hand, and general good stuff.

Alan & Brian - The CU Notice CD
Easily the most unique and ingenious release of the year. Southampton Uni students will appreciate it best, but the witty lyrics and catchy tunes are enough to make anybody sing along smiling. Notices have never been so much fun.

Full reviews coming soon.