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26 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
No Need To Cry At All., 16 Jan 2008
I think im safe in saying that in the past, some people have been of the opinion that British Sea Power were a band to be seen live rather than heard on record (although The Decline is, in my opinion, a masterpiece, and Open Season, whilst not quite in the same league as The Decline, does have some magnificent moments), and I know how on a first listen the albums can be hard to grasp for some. However, on the first listen of Do You Like Rock Music? I was left with a thirst, an incredible thirst that in the past I have mainly encountered on seeing them play live. The desire that it created, meant I had to play Do You Like Rock Music? again immediately, in multiples, and have done countless times since. The songs work exquisitely on record. It is a very complete album, an album that takes you though different emotions and really does convey an energy and potency that leaves the listener both drained and energised simultaneously as the songs ebb and flow. It's a bit like `Lately' in that sense. A life, in itself.
Listeners to Do You Like Rock Music? should prepare to constantly fight with themselves over which is their favourite track, such is the strength and depth of the album. The album scoops you up, and carries you above its head like a Hero from start to finish. The more immediate Atom and Open The Door, though greatly diverse, show how the band can turn from base energy to classy 60's tinged pop (prepares for backlash). There are no real fillers on this album, and I find myself changing my mind daily, hourly even, over my current favourite. Canvey Island will educate some and remind all, that we are but a flicker away from the deep and dark consequences of frivolous irresponsible actions. The Great Skua and No Need To Cry will have you reaching for your wills and scratching a thick black line through the song that stands as your current curtain closer. The production is crisp, immense and mindblowing. British Sea Power have found their sound, its both powerful and ethereal, lulling and shattering. It hurts, but it hurts good. The only wish I have is that technology would allow the first and last tracks to loop so that it would be allowed to roll on into infinity.
Do You Like Rock Music is undoubtedly destined to be one of `The' albums of 2008. It is an album that will not only give you good people already singing from the hillsides, a multiple orgasmic quenching, but it will also, like Sirens, draw new and unsuspecting beings to the fore, shipwrecking their safe musical vessels, as they surrender themselves willingly to the vivacity and irresistible proposition of Do You Like Rock Music?
Hold the bus though! Don't think for one minute that im saying the content of Do You Like Rock Music? is only good for the armchair and headphone Nodders of this world. Not by a country mile. There is huge potential for crowd participation when played live also. All In It and We Close Our Eyes will unify young and old, east and west, whether serving as an opener, or show closer. Waving Flags will conjure up a Multicoloured Revolution in the name of peace and alcoholic jollity. If the band fire any or all of Atom, A Trip Out, No Lucifer and Lights Out For Darker Skies into the already bubbling crowds of '08, they will react like ravenous piranha on a bloodied calf. This could be the album to finally propel British Sea Power onto a level more deserved, yet as a fan of a few years now I feel they have pushed themselves onto the next level already. They seem far more focused, channelling their collective energies, borne through hunger and want I suspect, into something that is a little more coherent. That may not suit all fans, but those that were there during the chaos and cartwheels of the past have those memories to hold, yet they must realise, things grow and change, like children, and British Sea Power now have the key to the door.
Avance indeed sirs. More please and thankyou.
Nora Dindian.
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~ British Sea Power
~ Elbow
~ British Sea Power
~ Radiohead
~ Vampire Weekend
