One of the most schizophrenic debuts I’ve ever heard. I really don’t know what possessed them to veer from almost thrash “Apologies to Insect Life” to moody ballads “The Lonely” to extended jam pieces “Lately”. Perhaps they felt bored a lot and wanted to do as much as possible in less than 50 minutes. Whatever the reason, the strangest part is how well it all works.
Comparisons to other bands don’t help you figure out what they are about. The Pixies and the Cure often come up in discussion, which is weird. You should be prepared for what is about to enter your eardrums and watch the volume. At times this goes from very quiet to very loud in a few seconds.
The front end is filled with the more brain burner type of songs. Blasting away through “Flavors in the Beetroot Fields” it only begins to let up around the end of “Fear of Drowning” which offers some breathing room. What “The Lonely” offers is pure tenderness. I dare you to find a song that uses the phrase “Casio Electric Piano” in such an affectionate way.
“Lately” is easily the winner here. Taking up about a third of the entire playing time, it is worth it. Build-ups are things often forgotten or fudged, but British Sea Power makes it sound genuine and real. A slow burning track, but when it burns, prepare to watch the volume. It hearkens up images of a jam of the best kind, unencumbered by ego or pretension.
Probably one of the most adventurous approaches to pop music I’ve heard in a while.