Four years after leaving Tooth and Nail, Morella's Forest is back with their fourth record Tiny Lights of Heaven. Along with their new labels, Big Beef and Endearing Records, they also have a new sound.
When Morella's Forest first began they sounded like a female version of Starflyer 59. But these days they have shed the heavily distorted guitars for bubblegum pop and hushed vocals, which likens them to The Cardigans or to a poppier version of Sixpence None the Richer.
The first track on Tiny Lights of Heaven, "Running," is a solid song with a couple moments where it even sounds like "Human" from The Pretenders. Tracks two through four, "Shining Stars," "Choppy" and "Lullaby," are also some of the best on the album, but the songs that follow them seem to get lost in the shuffle. Tracks eight and nine, "Gentle Go The Hours" and "Hopeless," are solid, especially "Hopeless," which finally awakens the listener with some long-needed intensity. Unfortunately, instead of ending the album with the best song, the record ends on a less interesting note that fails to grab the listener's attention with "Never Let Go."
On the whole, this is Morella's best album thus far, but there is clearly room for growth. Sadly, roughly half of Tiny Lights of Heaven makes pop music seem boring and uninspired, yet at the same time there are five songs that would make an excellent pop EP.
3.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Ken MuellerAfter a four-year layoff, the kids from Morella's Forest are back on a new set of labels with a slightly modified lineup...and the results are quite nice. Exit the shoegazing of yesteryear and enter a more melodic, indie-pop sensibility. Sydney Rentz's understated vocals will remind some of Beki Hemingway, but with a bit less pop and a bit more of an edge. A beautiful voice that most any guy will…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Jeff EdwardsMorella's Forest apparently went through some changes during the four-year layoff from their last release. The most evident on paper are the personnel changes, but paper is not necessary to hear the difference immediately. From track 1 - "Running," the listener needs to check the CD case time and time again to make sure this is really the same band that released Ultraphonic Hiss and Super Deluxe.…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Olin JenkinsFor those new to Morella's Forest, Tiny Lights of Heaven is pure pop featuring what Big Beef Records calls Sydney Rentz's "beautiful and alluring" vocals. If you're familiar with the band, you may have been disappointed with the vocals being mired underneath instrumentation. Good news: unlike 1996's Ultraphonic Hiss, guitars here are lighter, also bringing a sweet balance to Rentz's voice,…Similar sounding releases
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