My Luminaries – Order From the Chaos

My Luminaries’ debut has been a long time coming. Together since 2004 - and with major label interest piqued from the get-go - the six-year build-up has contained frustrations (their press release hints at dodgy manager misfortunes) and triumphs (festivals and a strong local following).

They deserve credit for persevering, and further kudos for Welcome to the Family’s punchy chorus and lead single Parasol’s catchy calling card. But - and it pains to say this - they might have benefited from heeding the advice purportedly proffered during their hapless major label arrangement.

The tension between paymasters demanding “copycat indie hits” while the band stuck to their guns might have been resolved with more satisfying results if Order From the Chaos contained a few more accessible hooks and a few less po-faced harmonies. Compromise clearly isn’t in My Luminaries’ game-plan - it’s just a shame the passionately protected results don’t carry more kick.