The Conway Story - Landing Light

Nik Owens is wracked with angst, although he holds himself in high esteem. While guitars and keyboards build up to an oceanic chorus, he congratulates himself for being some unfortunate's salvation. Starting off delicate and emotive, this single blands-out quickly into an anthem. It is a shame that the shop-worn intensity (possibly left in the studio by Muse or Coldplay) can't mask the slim lyrics: the lilting melody suggests fey intelligence behind the crass instructions to his honey to give him the gun. And in spite of being only three minutes long, he still manages to repeat himself, making this a rare example of the hand-waving singalong about attempted suicide. [Margaret Kirk]