CD Review: Bell X1 -- Blue Lights on the Runway

Bell X1

Blue Light on the Runway

Yep Roc

By Eileen Tilson

On a recent interview on a local New York radio station, Paul Noonan, of Ireland's favorite "art-pop" band Bell X1, tells the story of a boy and girl who met randomly in Ireland with the intentions of meeting one day in New York City. Their paths had crossed too early, and she gave him a picture to remember her by so  that one day they would meet up again at St. Mark's Cathedral. Thus "The Ribs of a Broken Umbrella," the opening track off of Bell X1's latest release Blue Lights On the Runway, was inspired. The deceivingly sophisticated, yet humorous, album is Noonan's "better band," with songs that reflect vintage Echo and the Bunnymen and Talking Heads complete with a sweet chanting choir swaying in the background of the guitars and synthesizers that are littered throughout the CD. 

Having met at school in Ireland's North County Kildare, Noonan, Geraghty and Phillips first recorded as members of Juniper, whose lead singer was Damien Rice. After Rice departed to launch his solo career, Noonan, Geraghty, Phillips and Crosby regrouped and renamed themselves Bell X1, borrowing the name of the first plane to break the sound barrier.

Bell X1 debuted with 2000's Neither Am I, produced by Crowded House member Nick Seymour. That disc grew a modest cult following in Ireland, where the band's endless touring won them a reputation as a powerful live act. The sophomore effort Music in Mouth followed in 2003, and established Bell X1 as both a major attraction and a favorite in its homeland, while winning the group increasing popularity in Europe.

Blue Lights on Runway, Bell X1's fourth studio effort, the band delivers a compelling set of melodically infectious, emotionally resonant new tunes whose colorful lyrics are informed by a quirky assortment of offbeat observations and unconventional personal experiences. 

In short, Blue Lights on the Runway has it all.  It has the beautiful ballads in “Light Catches Your Face” and “The Curtains Are Twitchin,’” where as in the cowbell-lead “A Better Band” and lead single “The Great Defector,” Bell X1 returns to Flock to write great pop rock songs. To cement the album as the band’s best work to date, “Amelia” redefines what the band can do at their best.  This is only the beginning for the heights that this band are about to reach. They combine the perfect amount of poppy hook and good musicianship for something that will leave everyone feeling like they are "the chocolate at the end of my cornetto."