Lightning Seeds

Lightning Seeds started as a vehicle for Ian Broudie, who had been in Big in Japan. Their first album, 'Cloudcuckooland', came out in 1990, and the song 'Pure' from that record got some attention for its jangly, melodic feel. Broudie wrote and produced most of the material, with Paul Hemmings on bass and Chris Sharrock on drums early on.

Their second album, 'Sense', included 'The Life of Riley', which became a hit in the UK and beyond. That track, along with others like 'Change' and 'All I Want', helped define their sound: bright, guitar-driven pop with lyrics that could turn a bit wistful or pointed.

Later albums like 'Jollification' and 'Dizzy Heights' kept the melodic focus, though Broudie's role as the central writer and singer meant the band's output was closely tied to his own pace and interests. The songs '4 Winds' and 'A Cool Place' show the quieter, more reflective side of their catalog.