The Bury-formed band of Guy Garvey, Craig Potter and co return with their 10th LP, one particularly marked by experimental styles, thunderous rhythms and adventurous sounds, sometimes reminiscent of Peter Gabriel. Session drummer Alex Reeves, since the departure of Richard Jupp, has had a growing influence in this development, working with bassist Pete Turner to create some strong backing tracks. Among the highlights is Lover’s Leap, a thrilling samba-influenced groove, one about dark, suicidal side of young romantic love, but with Garvey’s lyrics giving a tender, gallows humour end twist: “They can name the crater we make after you / And sell little statues of us / Though there isn't an artist alive / Who could get your eyes”. Balu is another, marked by horn-style sounds and keyboards, while Her To The Earth has a Stevie Wonder-style funk groove. Garvey’s lyrics, with that strong, soaring tenor voice, are strong, poetic, reflective and tender, especially on closing number From The River, inspired by memories of playing during childhood and is something of a love letter to his own son. The album’s title is inspired by a phrase used by Potter when he heard the echoey, dizzying bass delay sound on the David Essex song Rock On. So within a safe framework of an established, mature sound, it’s good to see the band branching into more innovation. Out on Polydor.
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