Search - GrooveLily :: Little Light (Back Issue Series)

"Little Light (Back Issue Series)" is the 2004 reissue, with bonus tracks, of "Little Light," which was originally released in 2000. "GrooveLily is a high-energy rock/pop trio from New York who play music that, while original, you'll swear you've heard somewhere before. It's not a plagiarism thing, but rather a knack by band members Valerie Vigoda and Brendan Milburn for writing catchy melodies and memorable lyrics... On "Little Light," the listener is presented with 12 songs...that perfectly demonstrate why this band is gaining popularity by the day..."Prayer for the Unrequited" begins with Milburn's gentle keyboard playing, which soon is joined by Vigoda's lovely singing...the song would fit right in with the pop songs of the early to mid-1980s. Drummer Gene Lewin, who rounds out the trio, plays in a jazzy style that has been compared to that of Carter Beauford of the Dave Matthews Band. Milburn's keyboard style is reminiscent of Steely Dan's Donald Fagen or Ben Folds. Indeed, the entire band is a lot like the now-defunct Ben Folds Five, save for the fact that Vigoda wields a violin instead of a bass. That fiddle is coupled with a voice that will remind you of contemporary artists such as Paula Cole and even Gwen Stefani, minus the hiccups. While just about every song on "Little Light" is worth mentioning, some of the better compositions include "Weight of the World," "Love Song Without Metaphor (I Want You Back)" and the CD's title track. Even the sole cover, a tricked-out reggae version of Foreigner's "I Want to Know What Love Is," goes from cheesy pop ballad to something wonderful in the hands of GrooveLily."