While this album is not as immediate as Carnavas, it's a real grower. Little melodies and chord movements will slowly being to leap out at you and eventually you realise this is a really beautiful album. The addition of an orchestra adds a huge amount of texture to some tracks, although at times it feels overused and may have benefited from being more subtle.
The Smashing Pumpkins comparisons will still be made, but I felt that the sound created here moves the band more towards their own sound than Carnavas did. I can hear bits of Muse in there, but honestly, there's not really any mistaking SSPU for any other band when their songs play. While it may sound derived from others they've very much put their own seal on it.
As with Carnavas, the track order isn't the best it could be as the strongest tracks are definitely in the first half of the album. Notably, 'The Royal We' and 'It's Nice to Know you Work Alone' are pop-rock classics. 'Growing Old is Getting Old' starts off deceptively calm but grows into something incredible with wonderful use of vocal harmonies and swirly aggressive guitars.
I'm glad this band are living up to their potential and emerging as one of my favourites. I'd give it 4.5 stars.
