As one of New York's most photogenic couples, it's easy to forget that Joy Zipper have made some fine songs in their relatively short career. Their last long player 'American Whip' was characterised by equal parts sun-kissed harmonies and shoegazer pop. So whilst The Beach Boys were an influence on that record, 'The Heartlight Set' follows a more 70's-informed outlook. The problem is that whilst tracks such as 'Thought's A Waste Of Time' and 'For Lenny's Own Pleasure' are surrounded in a dreamy soft-focus aura they hardly set the pulse racing. Nevertheless, just as the vocals teeter towards the saccharine, events improve in the second half of the record. As 'Window' thuds along at a nice pace, the doleful 'World Doesn't Care' coaxes a lovely careworn vocal from Vincent Cafiso and final song 'Holy Diver' is melodic bliss. Yet, in summary, it's a pretty but occasionally insubstantial record.
As one of New York's most photogenic couples, it's easy to forget that Joy Zipper have made some fine songs in their relatively short career. Their last long player 'American Whip' was characterised by equal parts sun-kissed harmonies and shoegazer pop. So whilst The Beach Boys were an influence on that record, 'The Heartlight Set' follows a more 70's-informed outlook. The problem is that whilst tracks such as 'Thought's A Waste Of Time' and 'For Lenny's Own Pleasure' are surrounded in a dreamy soft-focus aura they hardly set the pulse racing. Nevertheless, just as the vocals teeter towards the saccharine, events improve in the second half of the record. As 'Window' thuds along at a nice pace, the doleful 'World Doesn't Care' coaxes a lovely careworn vocal from Vincent Cafiso and final song 'Holy Diver' is melodic bliss. Yet, in summary, it's a pretty but occasionally insubstantial record.
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