Album Assessment: Bright Light Bright Light ~ Make Me Believe In Hope (Blueprints Edition)

There's no denying that Mr Bright Light Squared knows how to give fans the most he possibly can from an album. Whereas the majority of artists today are willing to extend the lifespan of their current album by adding a few extra tracks and calling it "a special edition fan version" (we'll be seeing a lot of this in the run up to Christmas. Lawson, I'm looking pointedly at you), Make Me Believe In Hope has been kept alive through innovative mash ups, visually engaging videos, sumptuous single & EP releases loaded with alternate versions & new tracks, and finally capping it all off - this gorgeous Blueprints Edition that takes us full circle. Yes, Rod is (zipping up his boots and) going back to his roots as, of course, blueprints indicates he very architectural design on which the project is built. Ergo the Blueprints Edition of MMBIH is primarily Rod and a piano (with some special guests joining in along the way) - and it's a labour of love from the gorgeous muted blue hues of the enigmatic cover to the choice of duet partners. I actually like the fact that the singer himself is a little shadowed on the cover - he's so intimate, honest & open on his songs that there isn't the need to be any more revealing with the album art. In my original review of the album, back in June 2012, I wrote "Rod has this ability to be an alchemist of lyrical & musical composition, weaving together words and instruments to conjour up vivid emotive landscapes that give the album real heart, depth and soul. It's quite mesmerising." - this is equally true of the Blueprints Edition, only with the piano and vocal creating a new take on the previous narrative; revealing new insights in the lyrics & indeed the passionate performance Rod gives throughout. It's awash with new rewards for long term fans as well as offering up plenty for newbies to get their teeth into - here are just some of the highlights:

• IMMATURE ~ The delicate, tender and graceful piano backdrop accentuates the melancholy, wistful nature of this track yet definitely softens those biting, self critical lyrics. Rod's voice is a joy to listen to and his ability to provide naunced, detailed vocals shines all the more vividly in this stripped back setting. I've never noticed before but the placement of this song as the album opener positions it as the point of change for all the emotional adventures that follow...
• FEEL IT ~ there is still a hint of the vivacious house-piano chords that were embedded in the structure of the original; here they cascade elegantly like champagne droplets down an iced goblet. It becomes much more dramatic in the chorus making the plea of "give me something to dream about" all the more anguished yet all the more delicious.
• LOVE PART II ~ the dignified and restrained reading of this euphoric modern day classic creates something all the more intimate & sensual. The uplifting optimism is still there but it's steeped in almost naked longing, something intricately personal between the two lovers. The lyrics become all the more poetic & evocative, and one can imagine the most exquisite ballet being performed to this.
• CRY AT FILMS ~ One of the earliest songs by BLBL that I heard continues to be an elegiac study of emotions as a relationship is left in tatters. The harmonies in the second verse give the feeling of the torn apart lovers both giving the lyrics from their point of view - feeling exactly the same but miles apart. It's delivered so earnestly with such an innate sadness in the vocal tradeoff that it's hard not to get swept into the emotion of the song and feel a little blue. Utterly heavenly with it though...
• DISCO MOMENT ~ Not only my very favourite song of 2011, it's one of my very favourite songs of the new millenium (up there with Kylie's All The Lovers) and I really can't get enough interpretations of this stunning song. It's as bittersweet as an Abba song and the simple yet mellifluous melody allows Rod to guide the melody of the song, imbuing it with the right amount of heartache and inquietude. There are a couple of elements of the song that made me want to weep with both joy (at their perfect placing) and sadness (at how it exacerbated the emotions) - the piano taking that fragile melody up an octave; and the harmonies from the Sound of Arrow chaps (the best threesome I'll get this year!) that are so tastefully textured. If possible, I'm now even more in love with this song than ever before.

I must emphasise that this only shines a light on some of the radiant moments from the album. It's a genuinely amazing piece of work, lovingly constructed and impeccably delivered from start to finish by all involved. My words don't do it a hint of justice so make sure that you purchase it here (iTunes) and here (official website) to experience the wonder yourself.