Blake Solomon
02/05/08, 11:16 PM
British Sea Power – Do You Like Rock Music?
Record Label: Rough Trade Records
Release Date: February 12, 2008
Procrastination has allowed me to read way too many reviews for Do You Like Rock Music?. I don’t think a single one faulted the record for anything substantial. People are praising this record, literally worshipping at its altar of huge guitars, Armageddon foreshadowing and wittiness. Not sure how different this one will be, to be honest. British Sea Power have me buzzing like I did for Bloc Party last year. I hear intelligence and grandiosity on what is essentially a new-waveish pop-rock record. Don’t shudder, not that kind of pop-rock. As much as I’d like to throw out some comparison that hasn’t been noted a billion and a half times, I can’t. British Sea Power sounds like the spawn of Joy Division and The Cure. Sweet, right? What do you mean, “Who?”
Scott Wilkinson’s voice and lyrics (“Beer is not dark / Beer is not light / It just tastes good / Especially tonight”) might very well get him knighted. He’s breathy when he needs to be (like on creepily whimsical “Canvey Island”), but he can also be sturdy as a rock (like on bass-groovy and tempestuous “Atom”). British Sea Power never miss a chance to elevate their songs past the restraints of regular ol’ boring rock music. “Lights Out For Darker Skies” could easily be a 3-minute pop song, but by including an energetic, building intro and a within-song intermission, the group instead creates a veritable pop opera. The song ends with clumsy shouts of, “You know it’s right,” which also adds another dimension of richness to the mix. “Waving Flags” is destined for track one on many a beautiful hipster’s playlist. Warbling, stratospheric guitars and drums the size of the horizon line makes this song instantly memorable. Angelic “Ahhh’s” and Wilkinson’s slightly exasperated baritone lead the listener right to pleasure town, which, oddly enough, is located right on the Cliffs of Dover.
The organic nature of these songs begs for an outdoor concert near the sea. To hear the build-up on instrumental (and EITS-influenced) “The Great Skua” while the sun bows to the moon would be life-changing. To watch people sway about rhythmically while Wilkinson belts out one of my favorite lines of 2008 thus far, “I’ll be the first to admit this is a bright but haunted age,” would probably stop my heart. Do You Like Rock Music? is so impressive it’s almost frustrating. The album has a way of sticking with you throughout the day, almost like a (extremely hot) nagging girlfriend. Her, umm, I mean, the album’s best feature is certainly the enveloping guitar riffs. Large swells of sometimes-grungy, sometimes-big band, sometimes-raucous notes infect nearly every song. This is also why songs like “No Need To Cry” and “Open The Door” hurt the record. British Sea Power are at their best when they’re at their craziest, their most rowdy. Don’t misunderstand; I’m a sap. I love precious ballads. I just believe British Sea Power’s strength is in their “rock” “anthems.” However, this is one of those rare albums where a new favorite song can be found with each listen, so maybe the tambourine of “No Need To Cry” will grow on me. I won’t fight such a development one bit.
Recommended If You Like: The Cure, Joy Division, Bloc Party, embarrassment forts, Echo and the Bunnymen, storm chasing
www.myspace.com/britishseapower
Record Label: Rough Trade Records
Release Date: February 12, 2008
Procrastination has allowed me to read way too many reviews for Do You Like Rock Music?. I don’t think a single one faulted the record for anything substantial. People are praising this record, literally worshipping at its altar of huge guitars, Armageddon foreshadowing and wittiness. Not sure how different this one will be, to be honest. British Sea Power have me buzzing like I did for Bloc Party last year. I hear intelligence and grandiosity on what is essentially a new-waveish pop-rock record. Don’t shudder, not that kind of pop-rock. As much as I’d like to throw out some comparison that hasn’t been noted a billion and a half times, I can’t. British Sea Power sounds like the spawn of Joy Division and The Cure. Sweet, right? What do you mean, “Who?”
Scott Wilkinson’s voice and lyrics (“Beer is not dark / Beer is not light / It just tastes good / Especially tonight”) might very well get him knighted. He’s breathy when he needs to be (like on creepily whimsical “Canvey Island”), but he can also be sturdy as a rock (like on bass-groovy and tempestuous “Atom”). British Sea Power never miss a chance to elevate their songs past the restraints of regular ol’ boring rock music. “Lights Out For Darker Skies” could easily be a 3-minute pop song, but by including an energetic, building intro and a within-song intermission, the group instead creates a veritable pop opera. The song ends with clumsy shouts of, “You know it’s right,” which also adds another dimension of richness to the mix. “Waving Flags” is destined for track one on many a beautiful hipster’s playlist. Warbling, stratospheric guitars and drums the size of the horizon line makes this song instantly memorable. Angelic “Ahhh’s” and Wilkinson’s slightly exasperated baritone lead the listener right to pleasure town, which, oddly enough, is located right on the Cliffs of Dover.
The organic nature of these songs begs for an outdoor concert near the sea. To hear the build-up on instrumental (and EITS-influenced) “The Great Skua” while the sun bows to the moon would be life-changing. To watch people sway about rhythmically while Wilkinson belts out one of my favorite lines of 2008 thus far, “I’ll be the first to admit this is a bright but haunted age,” would probably stop my heart. Do You Like Rock Music? is so impressive it’s almost frustrating. The album has a way of sticking with you throughout the day, almost like a (extremely hot) nagging girlfriend. Her, umm, I mean, the album’s best feature is certainly the enveloping guitar riffs. Large swells of sometimes-grungy, sometimes-big band, sometimes-raucous notes infect nearly every song. This is also why songs like “No Need To Cry” and “Open The Door” hurt the record. British Sea Power are at their best when they’re at their craziest, their most rowdy. Don’t misunderstand; I’m a sap. I love precious ballads. I just believe British Sea Power’s strength is in their “rock” “anthems.” However, this is one of those rare albums where a new favorite song can be found with each listen, so maybe the tambourine of “No Need To Cry” will grow on me. I won’t fight such a development one bit.
Recommended If You Like: The Cure, Joy Division, Bloc Party, embarrassment forts, Echo and the Bunnymen, storm chasing
www.myspace.com/britishseapower