Everlasting Light

The Proctors' 2013 album Everlasting Light is their first since 1995's Pinstripes & Englishmen, and judging by the sound of it, barely a day has gone by in their world. The Proctors play their indie pop very classically, in the time-honored style of bands like the Razorcuts, the June Brides, and "Gentle Tuesday"-era Primal Scream. One can expect great big jangling guitars over crisp drums, washes of synth coloring in the background, and heart-felt vocals upfront detailing all kinds of tiny heartbreaks. Count on upbeat songs that jangle politely, slow sad ballads that wrench tenderly, but mostly very pretty songs that are quite nostalgic and very, very autumnal. Yes, it's been done before. Many, many times before. Rarely as well as the Proctors do it here though. Gavin Priest knows how to write sad, catchy songs, he knows how to arrange them for maximum emotional impact, and Ian Catt's steady hand at the helm means the record sounds just right. Priest also possesses a voice like the Field Mice's Bob Wratten, incredibly intimate but able to transmit the most tender feelings in a way anyone who's ever had a heart broken can understand. Margaret Calleja's sweet backing vocals and harmonies help out in that way too, making sure the album never gets too moody and insular. Everlasting Light does create a mood though, one a Field Mice fan will understand and love; one that fans of well-written, well-played indie pop from C-86 to right now will want to investigate. The Proctors may not be doing anything new, but they make the old stuff sound pretty great. ~ Tim Sendra