Ends in Light

Air Formation's shoegazer-esque grace radiates throughout their nine-song sophomore effort. From the opening chords of the light opening track, "Take It Easy," to the dreamy, closing title track, the band puts a new spin on the international space rock sound. As the follow-up to their self-titled debut, layered guitars swarm around the occasional lush vocals. The British trio really hits its stride on the fourth track, the remarkably steady and hypnotic "In Formation." By this point, the evolution of the band is clear, as the trio of Matt Bartram, Ben Pierce, and Richard Parks set out to experiment in extraordinary sound textures. The pace slows down on the radiating "Still," and the keyboards on "Long Way out to Me" add a unique element to the album as a whole. As with most bands of their ilk, Ends in Light was intended to be one extended listening experience, instead of nine disconnected, ready-for-radio singles. While each song doesn't necessarily flow seamlessly into the next, the songs are surely connected by theme and musical strategy. The band's refusal to rely on sonic trickery and melodic clichés sets them apart. Michigan's Drive-in Records released the disc in 2002.