Since forming in Glasgow back in 1981, the Blue Nile only released four albums before going their separate ways sometime in the late '00s, but their lack of studio output hasn't hurt their legacy as one of the most critically acclaimed and beloved adult alternative artists. If you're a fan of Peter Gabriel and late period Japan, you absolutely need to carve out some room in your music collection for the Blue Nile. Lead by vocalist/songwriter Paul Buchanan, the trio's Hats album is the creative crest of their discography.
Released as the lead off single for Hats in early 1990, "The Downtown Lights" is the standout track from the album. After some shimmery keyboard chords begin the song, a throbbing bass line locks in with a clicking hi-hat and bass drum, laying down a sensual groove that becomes the rhythmic bed for the remainder of the song. A slow-burner, "The Downtown Lights" introduces a new sonic nuance throughout every few measures during its 6-minute plus running time, building up to a euphoric end section where Buchanan lets loose, showcasing the higher register of his singing voice.
"The Downtown Lights" reached #10 on the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart, and remains the trio's only single chart entry in the US. Annie Lennox covered the song on her 1995 Medusa album. You can also check out a cool live cover of the song courtesy of Keane here. With the triple-A (Adult album alternative) radio format increasingly losing stations, a group like the Blue Nile rarely gets any American airplay anymore. It's a shame and another reminder why terrestrial radio is a joke these days.
