This band might have dialed up the Siouxsie influence on this album, but they did it oddly. Rather than just pay tribute they pondered what if Siouxsie fronted Roxy Music during the Brian Eno years. It's dramatic and glammed out while basking in the indulgences of cocaine-fueled art rock. It has taken them out of the post-rock revival, This is not a bad thing. Bands need to grow. When they get stagnant every album sounds the same then it feels like punching a clock and they break up. The creative fires are alive. Some of their ambitions might exceed their grasp but you can not fault them for trying.
Things get moving as the drums build the momentum of "Pillar of Salt". Though it sounds like a Kate Bush b-side. This speaks volumes to how their singer Leah Lane's voice improved, as I do not recall her belting it out like this. They are clearly inspired by Nadine Shah on "Love Like Goodbye". There is a familiar flavor of dynamic brooding on "Embers" that calls back to 90s alt-rock. This is closer to the goth tag than most of the songs on this album so far, though I would not say it makes it the album's strongest song. The gallop of the bass line keeps it pumping, but aside from that it does not grab your attention and make you beg for more. "Almost Heaven' works better as it is more brooding which this kind of thing needs. I want my goth to rock enough to feel at home on the Crow soundtrack.
The album begins to ease back into steamy midnight reflections with the first ballad"A Different Kind of Carnage" . Her vocals are interesting enough, though leaning more in the Nadine Shah direction. There is almost a trip-hop feel to the sedate groove of " Like the Rain'. There is a more rock feel to the last song, that works off a more post-punk tension thanks to the guitar. I will give this album a 9, as it is what they wanted to make, and in many ways better than their past work due to the chances they took here. Not sure how much replay value I will get from it but if you are a fan or looking for well-produced post-punk that allows itself to indulge in 80s nostalgia.
pst329
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