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If Brett Anderson's fourth solo album isn't quite the fringe-flicking hit hoped for from a man who reclaimed his fop-rock crown at Suede's reunion gigs, the reason might lie in the timing. Working with go-to session guy Leo Abrahams, Anderson mapped out Black Rainbows before Suede's resurgence. So it's less an album spurred by Suede's rebirth than his flirtation with the idea of fronting a rock band again, still the metier that most suits Anderson but one that's only tentatively embraced here.
A self-reinvention it isn't, as the cover affirms. Cheekbones? Check. Shadows? Check. But Black Rainbows at least quiets concerns that Anderson's hair is fuller than his creative tank. If his morose 2009 album, Slow Attack, made Anderson sound aged before his time - the camp-macho king of wastrel town reduced to glum reveries about swans and sipping tea - the opening fuzz of feedback here suggests he's popped some pain relief and started sloughing off the 90s hangover.
The opening Unsung slow-broods towards the kind of epically swooning chorus his voice is made for. The single Brittle Heart is better still, summoning reserves of louche swagger to prove that there's nothing like a cocksure and nonchalant melody to offset an over-reliance on bohemian-romantic clich�s (hello, "ashtray eyes" and "carpet burns") and stretch a limited range.
The mid-section lets him down, slumping into the bad habits of his debut solo album. This Must Be Where It Ends peddles vagaries ("Mysteries help me 'cause your hair is like the autumn") even more befuddling than the extravagantly bewildering Colour of the Night from his solo debut. Tune-wise, The Exiles and I Count the Times refuse to stick after 10 assiduously counted plays, favouring enervating portent over propulsion.
Thankfully, he rallies for the end run. Actors picks up the pace; Thin Men Dancing's knuckle-dragging riff almost apes Oasis; and Possession swoons with serene prettiness. Abrahams' backing could be more buff: he tends to leave respectful space for Anderson's vocals when he should be needling him like Bernard Butler's guitar used to. Presumably, that'll be a job for the planned Suede album, for which Black Rainbows acts as an intermittently promising teaser.
--Kevin Harley
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Product Description
(File: SUEDE) Multi-talented frontman returns to a rock band format on his fourth solo album, features 'Brittle Heart'
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Reinvigorated by an unexpected Suede reunion, Brett Anderson returns with his fourth solo album in four years - and the first in several years to bring back the sound and trademarks perhaps best known for in his first creative life. Over time, his career - though one might be callous to call an artistic life a career - has taken many routes and many paths. Far removed from 2008's "Wilderness", and 2009's "Slow Attack", the prolific Anderson - at 19 years and ten albums into a journey - is moving away from the sparse effects of his later work, to the kind of expansive, ambitious, larger songs that, with "Black Rainbows", come closer to the somewhat unashamedly artistic excess of "Dog Man Star". Material such as "Unsung" and "Brittle Heart" may be a world away from the adrenaline rush of Suede's better known hit singles, but who has stay immortalised forever in formaldehyde, imprisoned by the songs you once wrote? These are strong songs that the listener wants to return to, to explore. In the production, there is that rare quality ; the need or desire to hear those songs again.
It's not easy pop, but the kind of music that requires more than hearing but listening : an involving work with layers and structures that rewards repeated exposure.
Resembling the kind of dense, but airy production that characterised mid 80's Siouxsie And The Banshees, and the first few Cure records, with immense drum sounds and spidery, thin guitar lines and orchestration, "Black Rainbows" is a confident, unhurried work, that creates with it an air of experience. Far from the brash pop thrill of the early Suede records, it is a record that is very much the work of a man. Clearly, there have been lives, loves, and moments of loss here, in the lyrics and melodies reporting back a world that is more lived than observed. There's a maturity to the melody and the words that demonstrate an artist growing instead of regressing. The songs themselves don't have to prove anything - and are a welcome return to the more accessable and immediate songs that perhaps were missed in the obtuse and delicate work of late last decade. There's an essence here that, like some of Anderson's contemporaries, shows an artist evolving and changing and becoming much more than originally thought. "Crash About To Happen"has a small, but unforgettable set of motifs ; combined together, the songs rest on short codas and melodies that, when placed together, make a record of great moments held together by a glue of something more than the sum of its parts, with every song
In some ways, "Black Rainbows" is a rebirth, a third wind, if you like, for Brett's career, and one that opens up an exciting avenue for future releases. If Suede are to continue their reformation then this promises an exciting direction for Suede to become more than the pop machine many people wanted to them - and if not, Brett Anderson is on an exciting artistic journey. And if you were perhaps, wondering what happened after Suede split, you can comfortably begin the process of discovery here.
It's not easy pop, but the kind of music that requires more than hearing but listening : an involving work with layers and structures that rewards repeated exposure.
Resembling the kind of dense, but airy production that characterised mid 80's Siouxsie And The Banshees, and the first few Cure records, with immense drum sounds and spidery, thin guitar lines and orchestration, "Black Rainbows" is a confident, unhurried work, that creates with it an air of experience. Far from the brash pop thrill of the early Suede records, it is a record that is very much the work of a man. Clearly, there have been lives, loves, and moments of loss here, in the lyrics and melodies reporting back a world that is more lived than observed. There's a maturity to the melody and the words that demonstrate an artist growing instead of regressing. The songs themselves don't have to prove anything - and are a welcome return to the more accessable and immediate songs that perhaps were missed in the obtuse and delicate work of late last decade. There's an essence here that, like some of Anderson's contemporaries, shows an artist evolving and changing and becoming much more than originally thought. "Crash About To Happen"has a small, but unforgettable set of motifs ; combined together, the songs rest on short codas and melodies that, when placed together, make a record of great moments held together by a glue of something more than the sum of its parts, with every song
In some ways, "Black Rainbows" is a rebirth, a third wind, if you like, for Brett's career, and one that opens up an exciting avenue for future releases. If Suede are to continue their reformation then this promises an exciting direction for Suede to become more than the pop machine many people wanted to them - and if not, Brett Anderson is on an exciting artistic journey. And if you were perhaps, wondering what happened after Suede split, you can comfortably begin the process of discovery here.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is a stunning record, full of strong big rock numbers and admirably arty (but not pretentious) songs that have clearly been born out of some genuine inspiration and love for music.
The 1980s indie sound is clear on a lot of tracks, especially 'Crash About to Happen' which sounds like a lost Cure single! As you'd expect from Brett Anderson, Bowie's influence is not far around the corner, but unlike many Suede records he's expanded the influences here, possibly with the help of his backing band, and cherry picked from some wonderful acts whilst still maintaining his own voice and a sound that is both fresh and eclectic.
Suede seem to divide public opinion a bit, but I can see this record appealing to young and old music lovers alike. Give it a go, you won't regret it!
The 1980s indie sound is clear on a lot of tracks, especially 'Crash About to Happen' which sounds like a lost Cure single! As you'd expect from Brett Anderson, Bowie's influence is not far around the corner, but unlike many Suede records he's expanded the influences here, possibly with the help of his backing band, and cherry picked from some wonderful acts whilst still maintaining his own voice and a sound that is both fresh and eclectic.
Suede seem to divide public opinion a bit, but I can see this record appealing to young and old music lovers alike. Give it a go, you won't regret it!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I love all of Brett's solo stuff but this album surpases everything he has done as a solo artist. It's a concise and economic set of brilliant songs about love, life, loss, lies, betrayal, fragility...and frankly, quite perfect for the coming winter. There is not one filler. Instead, there are 2 or 3 songs that belong to the best Brett has ever written, like the stunning "This Must Be Where It Ends" (one of the best songs I've heard in a long, long time), the 80s-influenced "Crash About To Happen" (it crossed my mind, while listening to it, that it might be about Amy Winehouse...?) and the fierce "Thin Men Dancing".
It is so inspiring to see Brett at the top of his game. Very much looking forward to the promised Suede album!
It is so inspiring to see Brett at the top of his game. Very much looking forward to the promised Suede album!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Back on Track
Over the years the music press have done their best to forget and undermine the fact that Suede were quite simply the most creative and melodic band of the 90's. Read more
Published 4 months ago by S. Hills
Brett finds his voice - and it doesn't sound like Suede
Okay, lets get deal with the elephant in the room first. This album doesn't sound like Suede, it sounds like Brett. Read more
Published 6 months ago by slc
There is just something missing with this...
I always judge my albums by how often I play them after the initial rush following its release.
With this new Brett Anderson LP it has left me feeling there is something... Read more
With this new Brett Anderson LP it has left me feeling there is something... Read more
Published 6 months ago by David Bentley Newman
Anderson's best solo album
Following the rich and meditative Slow Attack, Anderson returns with a post-punk-pop-epic that stands as his best solo album, and perhaps as his best LP in 15 years. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mr Lemon
By gum! He's back!
As Brett Anderson's solo career has been an exercise in diminishing returns, both creatively/artistically and commercially, so it was with trepidation that I approached this latest... Read more
Published 7 months ago by D. B. Train
cracking album
cracking album, hooked on a few songs fromt he word go, and the rest are definately growers, great to hear his voice with rock band again. Read more
Published 7 months ago by D. Edwards
Brilliant Papercuts
I have enjoyed each of Brett Anderson's solo albums. They have their distinctive colours. Each offers a new/different/interesting perspective. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Kate
Breath of fresh air
This is a really good record. Brett's voice is really rich and powerful. Musically, a definite 80s slant to the sound. Read more
Published 7 months ago by pantomimehorse
Brett Anderson - Still seeking that pot of gold
What a joy it would be to report that the elegant former Suede front man had dusted himself down and returned with the sort of swagger that for a brief moment brought that burning... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Red on Black
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