Preface
I didn’t like it very much. 49 minutes; it’s almost very simple and forgettable. I liked the same two tracks I’ve heard before, Glory Box and Roads; maybe Strangers too. it didn’t have many great moments, only a few original authentic ideas. it sounds good, that’s the best thing I can say.
Review
Mysterons very quickly gives up the DJ turntable. the sinewave sounds like a ghost whispering throughout the lyrics, watching us from afar. Beth Gibbons sounds alarming, she’s talking about a serious subject. I think it’s the British Empire since there’s something very British about how they sound: “This ocean will not be grasped”, also because Mysterons were apparently a Martian race, the antagonist from a 60s TV show.
Sour Times sounds very different. it’s maybe sampled from a French/Italian song? it makes me think of a cafe at night with the seats out on the sidewalk. it sounds like a Western film score too. I still can think of the album being about Britain: “I have left is my memories of yesterday”, “end the vows… take a shot”. the songs aren’t very complicated but original. it’s not hard to hear that certain early 90s “Bristol sound”.
The song uses a sample from Argentine composer Lalo Schifrin’s “Danube Incident”
I wasn’t very wrong about that European feel. the electronic alarming sound still wanders through the sounds.
I’ve heard a live performance of Strangers, which was fascinating. it perfectly captures the band’s DNA. Beth’s iconic shaky “ou”s, jazzy guitars, and the electronic glue that ties everything together.
Can anybody see the light?
Where the morn’ meets the dew and the tide rises
this reminded me of the saying “the sun never sets in the Empire”, this could be a political narrative. let’s see.
It Could Be Sweet sounds a lot like 90s hip-hop, especially the high-pitched string samples. it’s a bit dissonant.
And I ain’t guilty of the crimes you accuse me of
But I’m guilty of fear
Wandering Star also has the red alert siren type of sound. It’s A Fire is pretty bluesy with the organ but quickly sounds like the rest of the album: dissonant, electronic, and sci-fi scary. I like it best after the first track, it’s more melodic and at ease.
Numb is very authentic, it stands on its own. maybe because of the solid rhythm, maybe because of the tin can snare sound. I can’t understand the lyrics, except by accepting that it means literally what it says, romantic cliche. the whole album sounds very minimal but still unique.
I’ve heard Roads before (like everyone else?) and I love it. it sounds more accessible and singable. the drums, guitars, strings, the build-up in the middle, singing, form, all of it sounds more normal. again very simple lyrics, just one verse and one chorus that’s repeated three times. I always liked the ending bass, it’s simple and on point.
We’ve got a war to fight
Pedestal starts really interesting. so much bass, the delay on the vocals works perfectly. I also like how they suddenly switch to a disk scratch(?) section without any foreshadowing and then go back to the original sound. I love this one too, the form is great.
Haunted, I tell myself, yet I still wander
Down inside
so far, it doesn’t say much. it sounds recognizable and simple.
Before Glory Box, I was feeling asleep. I’ve heard this one too, I love it. she sings a bit differently in this one. even the verses align with my political theme idea. there’s finally a solo, which of course follows the agenda: simple, minimal, and individual. the song fades out, and the album ends. I still can think that she’s singing to Britain, although the sound character doesn’t fit this theme. it’s not angry, not mature. I’m probably wrong but I like how it stands even until the ending lines:
We’re all looking at a different picture
Through this new frame of mind
A thousand flowers could bloom
Move over and give us some room, yeah