This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - The Bevis Frond's "Lights Are Changing"

Instantly upon hearing the introductory chiming guitars of "Lights Are Changing," the listener is transported to a place where time constraints basically cease to matter, especially the importance of eras to the sound of rock music. This raw and beautiful track has to be among the most striking all-time examples of what I like to call the time-capsule music released throughout the rock era's half-century-plus. More than practically any tune I can think of, this one simply resists sounding like it belongs to any particular era or locale, instead projecting universality and permanence in the most thrilling of ways.

It just so happens that this selection from the Bevis Frond's 1988 release Triptych falls into my assigned music era, but I dare say that tidbit is quite beside the point. I'm just glad this brainchild of British singer-songwriter and indie legend Nick Saloman finds its way into this feature legitimately, although I might have included this particular song without calendar cooperation because it's simply so damn good. I've made a recent foray into a period of garage rock enlightenment, and with the aid of songs like this, I may just have to make my stay an extended one.

• Sample or download "Lights Are Changing" here.
• Compare prices on the Bevis Frond CDs here.

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Rubric Records