Review: Cloud Cult, Light Chasers
Dealing with grief has been the primary driving force behind Craig Minowas songwriting since the 2002 death of his 2-year-old son. Its been at the heart of each subsequent Cloud Cult album, providing a grounding element to his cosmically minded, vaguely New Age-y explorations of the big philosophical questions of life and our place in the universe. Its significant then that Light Chasers is Minowas first since the 2009 birth of Nova, his second son with wife and bandmate Connie. On its eighth studio album, Cloud Cults musical approach remains a sweeping mix of Arcade Fire-esque indie rock, electronica, and symphonically tinged folkbut new fatherhood brings a subtle, important shift in focus. Light Chasers isnt about living with death, but about becoming better equipped for the journey through life. Minowa, who also produced, dives in with typical gusto, building the album into a sprawling, intricately interconnected 56-minute concept that often soars into emotionally operatic, cathartic heights. At their best, as on Blessings and Today We Give Ourselves To The Fire, Minowas songs are like hymns for a religion that hasnt been invented yet. In weaker moments, they come across more like a self-help book, and occasional overindulgent touches, like the processed robotic vocals on The Exploding People, exacerbate that. Its fitting, perhaps, that one of the albums sparest songs, You Were Born, is also one of its most powerfula simply stated fathers declaration of love.
Originally published Sept. 21, 2010 on avclub.com. Read the complete article.
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