Silverbullit
Arclight
NEG
After years of rumors and speculation about its existence, I was very excited to finally hear this damn thing, to say the least. The possibility that the label almost shelved this album just boggles by mind because it's so obviously great. "Arclight" is the perfect culmination of Silverbullit's previous two albums. They bring back the raw power of their self-titled debut, but never lose the sonic experimentation that made "Citizen bird" so amazing. The sound is thick and lush and of course merits the obvious My Bloody Valentine comparisons, but I also hear tones and melodies that remind me of other 80s rock like Sisters of Mercy, early Cure, Jesus and Mary Chain, Killing Joke and New Order. Unlike a lot of bands mining similar influences however, Silverbullit never comes off sounding retro. Rather, they rise above the mere tribute bands and wannabees and create a sound of their own. Highly recommended, definitely a best-of 2004 contender.
- Avi Roig