REVIEW: MIRRORS – LIGHTS AND OFFERINGS
Mirrors
Lights and Offerings
(Skint)
***
Powered by analogue synths and a good DIY ethic, Mirrors deliver an album packed with melody, deep lyrics, washes of sound and bubbling electro basslines. Reproducing the sounds of thirty years ago seems to be the golden rule these days, and the skeleton of Mirrors’ sound shows more than just a little influence from Depeche Mode (circa A Broken Frame) and OMD. The singer has even gone as far as perfecting the voice of Andy McCluskey, OMD’s vocalist. Of course, it’s a lot more “cool” to reference the likes of Public Image Ltd, XTC and Joy Division, but there’s no evidence of their influence on this album. Still, there’s no getting away from the fact that Ways to An End is perfect electronic pop, and you have to admire their punk rock ethic: “We are disappointed in society… everything has become boring, socially and politically.” Ultimately, Mirrors’ saving grace is that similar to Delphic (last year’s New Order clones), they can write songs. Choosing to emulate a previous sound or another singer’s voice works when the material itself is fresh.
Words: Arash Torabi
