ALBUM REVIEWS
Explaining the long gestation of his tenth solo album, Peter Gabriel recently said: “I think you can oversaturate people and they get bored with you. One of the reasons I am still able to make a living doing this is that there are long periods of absence.” Some 150 ideas for songs were reportedly kicked around before they were whittled down to the 12 here – and even then they’re presented in two different mixes – ‘Bright Side’ by Mark ‘Spike’ Stent and and ‘Dark Side’ by Tchad Blake. If Gabriel is perhaps guilty of overthinking this record, tracks such as the art rocker Panopticom, the ballad Playing For Time, the brooding Four Kinds of Horses and the African-flavoured Live and Let Live are glorious. The poppier Olive Tree and Road To Joy, however, suffer from overproduction and a surfeit of brass.
Take That – This Life Review by Kristina Wemyss
Take That’s ninth album sees the band return to the scene a little older and a little wiser since their last release in 2017, but with their usual trademark style of positive pop. Opening song Keep Your Head Up falls somewhat flat, but by title track This Life, the band have found their rhythm again. Syncopated piano chords set the tone as they sing about making the most of life – a theme that continues. Other standouts include March Of The Hopeful – a festival anthem with an orchestral backing, reminiscent of classic Take That hit Shine.
This Life is an uplifting listen, although it does get repetitive at points. On the final track, Where We Are, the band sing: “Just look at where we are, the years behind us. We’ve come so far.” Indeed, they have come far and they continue to produce crowd-pleasers 30 years on.
The Sleeping Souls – Just Before The World Starts Burning Review by Matthew George
“I spend my time hoping for a chance to shine” is the opening line on this debut album – highly appropriate for a backing band stepping into the limelight. There’s a long history of this, from The Band pioneering Americana after leaving Bob Dylan, to the ill-fated by association Glitter Band. The Sleeping Souls back Frank Turner, making it a mystery where they found time to write and record this, as the current hardest working man in showbiz is never knowingly not on tour. Just Before The World Starts Burning sees them mixing high energy rock with reflective piano-led ballads. While their name comes from Turner’s song I Am Disappeared, The Sleeping Souls step out from his considerable shadow here.
Spector – Here Come the Early Nights Review by Ellie Iorizzo
Spector are back with their most reflective British indie album to date, with milestones such as ageing, parenting and the recalibration of life taking centre stage. Opening the 10-track offering is The Notion, featuring the band’s hallmark authentic lyrics accentuated with a rhythmic guitar solo. Spirited song Driving Home For Halloween features moments of intensifying emotion, while Never Have Before calls to mind realistic trepidation around ageing, reminding us that life is what you leave along the way. Self-titled track Here Come The Early Nights reflects the album’s search for identity. The album has a quality of realness in comparison to previous material, resulting in something that feels as though they are at their most complete.