LIGHTS mixes eerie pop sounds to create spacey atmosphere

I consider myself a musical connoisseur of sorts. I grew up listening to oldies with my dad, classical rock with my mom and the musical stylings of Tupac and No Doubt, courtesy of my older sister. If you look at my iTunes play count, No. 1 is Kanye West, followed by The Black Eyed Peas, Brooks & Dunn and The Darkness.

So when I listened to Canadian-born singer-songwriter LIGHTS’ debut album, “The Listening,” I figured it couldn’t hurt anything. It might even add a new mix to my already diverse iPod.

The album was interesting. A combination of electronica meets pop, with vocals that were airy and almost childlike.

At times, LIGHTS’ vocals seemed to be a mix between the Simpson sisters, with the tone and quality of Ashlee Simpson and an overly airy and exaggerated Jessica Simpson. I always wondered what they could produce as one person. LIGHTS, also known as Valerie Poxleitner, answered that question for me, and at times the fusion was enjoyable.

Sometimes the little girl voice almost was eerie, but it definitely set this singer apart from every other new group. However, her vocals weren’t really showcased in her music. Instead it was hidden by the electronic atmosphere, almost like talking into a radio during “Apollo 13.” Maybe that was her intention, but it doesn’t prove her singing abilities, which could be a rarity these days after Britney changed the truth of music.

Whatever her intention, LIGHTS definitely created her own genre, and a few good songs led me to bop along to the beat in my car.

It’s one of those CDs you can listen to during a cross-country road trip or while running long-distance. The music put me in a trance, but I think the singles would be better placed on a mixed playlist instead of one directly after another. Because sure, there are good songs on it, but maybe only four or five out of the 12.

LIGHTS lost brownie points with “LIONS!” displayed a chorus mentioning that lions make you brave and giants give you faith in reference to developing your own strength. I get where she was going with it, but that’s not catchy at all.

Although Kanye West and Lady Gaga both have introduced electro into mainstream pop music, LIGHTS delves into the true electro spirit, with keyboards and what she calls “intergalactic-electromusic,” representing the “sounds plucked from Saturn’s rings or meteor belt.”

A good upbeat song of hers was “Ice,” which was the best in terms of mass appeal. It was more mainstream than some of her others and the one most likely to be found at the end credits of “Grey’s Anatomy.”

Regardless of her out-there song lyrics or childlike voice, LIGHTS caught my attention, with surprise and interest. And yes, she found a small place on my iTunes. At least for now.