Anticipated in some circles, not fussed in others, but the 'Phonics return with a lengthy album. On the whole it's a real mixed bag, some quite catchy numbers, a few raw guitar hook led efforts and quite a number of pop hybrids. 'Help me', a seven-minute rock number starts the album off and quite frankly it's a good song with a solid guitar riff running throughout it. Kelly's vocals suit this type of song down to a tee, not too heavy but a far cry from all that Rod Stewart crap.
'Maybe tomorrow' is exactly the kind of song that the 'Phonics should stay away from, a ballad with lounge grooves that just ends up sounding cheesy. Previous single 'Madame Helga' gets back into the swing of things with typical vocal backed up by what sounds like a female choir in the chorus. Clearly the best song the album though is the supreme 'I'm alright', a slow a mystic track with a haunting piano part. The vocals stay subdued and create a really atmospheric feeling.
Unfortunately other slower songs, and believe me there's quite a few fail to live up to this with 'You stole my money honey' and 'Getaway' being a little uninspired to say the least, while 'Climbing the wall' is so corny it makes you cringe on the spot. Saying that, I'm being a bit harsh, the album is well written and clearly an attempted step into ever more sophisticated waters. 'Rainbows and pots of gold' is laden with Feeder style strings, while 'Nothing precious at all' doesn't have any strings in it, but pulls all the right strings with piano, organ and clean guitars.
This is the kind of album you can't help but like it, yet also keep thinking to yourself "I shouldn't be liking this" because some of the songs are formulaic. I tell you what, try it yourself.
Track Listings 1. Help Me (She's Out of Her Mind)
2. Maybe Tomorrow
3. Madame Helga
4. Climbing the Wall
5. Getaway
6. You Stole My Money Honey
7. Jealousy
8. I'm Alright (You Gotta Go There to Come Back)
9. Nothing Precious At All
10. Rainbows and Pots of Gold
11. I Miss You Now
12. High as the Ceiling
13. Since I Told You It's Over
