aaamusic | On 05, Jun 2012

Upon switching on Make Me Believe in Hope the listener is launched into a dance pop universe, much like an 80’s disco but sounding a bit like Morrissey decided to become a synth pop star. Rod Thomas, more commonly known by his stage name Bright Light Bright Light, has the cascading and harmonic vocals of Morrissey and the album has an endearing and emotional vulnerability to it.

The album opens with A New Word To Say, a fusion of finger clicks, synth and fluid harmonies. The song manages to be catchy to fans of its genre but also to those who are far from fans of 80’s disco dance pop. Cry At Films features Scissor Sisters’ Del Marquis, another catchy song although not as good as the opener. A man trying to break down the barriers of writing songs with male-to-male lyrics, it is hard not to like the Welsh singer. His songs are very genuine and amiable.

Disco Moment is filled with twinkling synth and melodic pop vocals; it pretty much sums up the artist in one song. Rod Thomas manages to produce disco music that has a subtlety to it, it’s not so in your face as some dance/synth/disco pop can be, it has an oddly easy listening quality to it.

Feel It has a more intense disco quality to it, with dramatic backing vocals and jittering synth, whereas Grace is a sweet pop song with subtle percussion instrumentation. Rod Thomas has a good sense of variety compared to some dance acts.

How To Make A Heart is a cute love song with interesting computerised backing. The album feels a bit cheesy at times but Rod Thomas manages to pull this off as endearing. Immature is fasted paced and catchy with starlight synth and an almost computer game sound to the background. Waiting For The Feeling makes for a good closure with a classic dance pop sound to it.

Make Me Believe In Hope is a sweet album, combining classic disco and dance elements with candyfloss pop. It’s poppy enough to please dance detesters while being dancey enough for those who love the genre. Charming and catchy although not a phenomenon.

★★★★★

Rose Benge