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Reviews"Nights EP" lets Midnight Movies step up their game Date published: 7/10/2008
BY SAM KRIEG The EP is a wonderful thing. It allows bands to experiment with their sound, to step outside of boundaries that couldn't be crossed on a full-length album--and it's generally cheaper for fans to buy. On their new "Nights" EP, the '80s-worshippers in Midnight Movies have definitely stepped outside of the box that they built themselves on their first album, "Lion the Girl." The album opens and closes with covers of The Moody Blues' track "Nights in White Satin," from which the EP derives its title. What sets the two covers apart is that the album closer is sung in French, which vocalist/drummer Gena Olivier pulls off flawlessly. The covers are nice, because they allow Olivier to show some vocal range--something that doesn't happen very often with the band's original material. The choral background also adds unfamiliar dimensions to the band's music. Two other tracks on "Nights" are remixes of songs from Midnight Movies' first album. Nick Zinner (guitarist of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs) provides a redux version of the opening track off "Lion the Girl" called "Souvenirs." The drums become electronic and more effects are added, while the original catchy keyboards remain in place. James Iha (of Smashing Pumpkins and A Perfect Circle fame) redid "Patient Eye." Again, the drums are turned electronic and the pace is picked up from the original. However, for this song, the guitars are more audible, which also adds to the overall sound. Finally, there are two brand-new tracks on "Nights." Both "Should Have Known" and "Stormy Eyes" are faster than just about anything off the band's first album. This is a definite improvement, as the previously favored tempo got old pretty fast. "Stormy Eyes" also has some fun electronic elements that spice it up. Unfortunately, apart from the cover songs, Olivier extends herself vocally only during the catchy chorus on "Should Have Known." While the band has stood out in so many other ways, it's a bit disappointing that they're still stuck in that one vocal hole. However, "Nights" offers plenty of promise for the band's next full-length album, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a wider vocal range next time around. Sam Krieg is a student
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