'64 - '95 [Limited Edition]

The resurgence of rock in most aspects of popular music has certainly not gone un-noticed by Lemon Jelly's Fred Deakin and Nick Franglen as 64-95 is littered with epic guitars and explosive refrains nestling amongst the downbeat soul for which they are best known. Opener, "Come Down on Me", is tense, fiery and for the most part dominated by the partnership of crashing power-chords and a lead synth that, while not a big-beat tune, wouldn't sound out of place on an old Lo-fi's or Chemical Brothers album. However, for anyone missing the sugary sweetness of Lost Horizons, most of the album is business as usual—strict drum patterns and rolling, mesmeric loops of lush strings, acoustic guitars (that sound great if a little bit cheesy) and lovable bass hooks. "Make Things Right" sums up a great deal of the music with its summery melody and reserved mid-tempo groove, this track being particularly reminiscent of classic Nightmares on Wax. Among the deviations in formula are "The Shouty Song", which comes across as some sort of harsh, contemporary jig and "The Slow Train", which utilises a barber shop quartet to fantastic effect. From start to finish 64-95 is pretty much devoid of filler (the weaker tracks only being weak due to other songs being better) and it culminates in the wondrous epic "Go", with the beat poet talents of William Shatner building to a crescendo that'll send anyone home with a smile on their face. Another great collection that isn't too radical a departure but doesn't rest on past successes, pushing Lemon Jelly forward at their own pace. --David Trueman

Many magic moons ago Lemon Jelly released a 7" single entitled of "Soft Rock". This was their re-working of the 1976 classic from Chicago, "If You Leave Me Now". This proved to be a huge success and the single immediately became a collectors item.

With the release of their third installment they have taken this formula a stage further. Digging deep in to their crates Fred Deakin and Nick Franglen have found 9 obscure samples from records released between the years 1964-1995 and have subsequently built their songs around them.

Given the album's remit the effects here are mixed. Those expecting the laid back groove of the last two records might be shocked by the brash beats and electric guitars of opener "Come Down on Me". This change in direction is indicative of the record as a whole. In parts it's still unmistakably Lemon Jelly.

In fact tracks like "Only Time" and "Make Things Right" would sit quite comfortably alongside anything the boys have released so far. But there's a darker side to '64 - '95 that's quite unlike anything we've come to know from them.

Whether it's their take on rock ("The Shouty Track") or the oddly soporific "Don't Stop Now" which samples Atlantic Ocean's 1993 house anthem "Waterfall", this album clearly demonstrates Nick and Fred's desire to break the typical 'Jelly' mould.

In some cases this has definitely paid off - "Stay With You" is a stand out moment and the final track "Go" sounds a bit like "Return to Patagonia" except that it features William Shatner providing his, ahem, unique vocals. But then, nearly five minutes into the song, out of nowhere, the distorted guitars burst into life, and the song turns into something akin to Muse covering Led Zep. It's all a bit odd, but it does leave you gasping for more.

'64 - '95 is an interesting record. Sure, it's far from perfect (although the packaging is beautiful as ever), and could even be called patchy in parts, but these fellas have been brave enough to take some chances. Rather than becoming set in their ways Lemon Jelly have shown that they are more than a one-trick pony.

Reviwer: Simon Fernand --Simon Fernand

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LEMON JELLY 64 - 95 (2005 UK CD album from Fred Deakin and Nick Franglen featuring 9 tracks entirely based on unlikely samples taken from their vast record collections including the singles Stay With You [based around a sample of Gallagher&Lyles I Wanna Stay With You] and The Shouty Track. Presented in a sealed fold-out thick card digipak picture sleeve)