The Electric Soft Parade - No Need To Be Downhearted
Related Artist:
The Electric Soft Parade
Release Date: 23/04/07
Label: Truck Records
Rating: 8/10
There is, indeed, no need to be downhearted after listening to the audio equivalent of a winter's night in with a blanket, hot chocolate and a roaring fire. Whatever may be going on outside becomes of secondary importance, as this record envelopes the listener in woozy synths, swirling melodies and joyous Teenage Fanclub harmonies.
Although occasionally, these troubles come across on record, as Alex White implores "Keep your feelings well hid/They will only get trodden on" before gently lilting brass invites hope for the future on 'Secrets'. Elsewhere, the Belle and Sebastian-esque 'Cold World' and single 'Have You Ever Felt Like It's Too Late?' nestle in amongst a plethora of tracks that are radio-friendly, yet intriguing enough to reveal fresh wonders on repeat listens.
The one lapse in 'Appropriate Ending' can be forgiven easily, given the ESP's ability to knock off such sumptuous, uplifting gems as 'Shore Song'. If the Boy Least Likely To were to travel to the moon with Badly Drawn Boy and describe the experience in song, this would surely be the result.
The false dawn of a Mercury nomination for 2002's 'Holes In The Wall' and a lack of mainstream acclaim for their other project, 'Brakes', has provided fresh impetus for the ESP to do well, and this shows. Simply a beautiful album, and one which deserves to be the breakthrough their hard work deserves.
James Keen
The Electric Soft Parade Official Site
The Electric Soft Parade Myspace
Buy The Electric Soft Parade CDs | Buy The Electric Soft Parade mp3s | Buy The Electric Soft Parade Tickets | Buy The Electric Soft Parade Merch
Release Date: 23/04/07
Label: Truck Records
Rating: 8/10
There is, indeed, no need to be downhearted after listening to the audio equivalent of a winter's night in with a blanket, hot chocolate and a roaring fire. Whatever may be going on outside becomes of secondary importance, as this record envelopes the listener in woozy synths, swirling melodies and joyous Teenage Fanclub harmonies.
Although occasionally, these troubles come across on record, as Alex White implores "Keep your feelings well hid/They will only get trodden on" before gently lilting brass invites hope for the future on 'Secrets'. Elsewhere, the Belle and Sebastian-esque 'Cold World' and single 'Have You Ever Felt Like It's Too Late?' nestle in amongst a plethora of tracks that are radio-friendly, yet intriguing enough to reveal fresh wonders on repeat listens.
The one lapse in 'Appropriate Ending' can be forgiven easily, given the ESP's ability to knock off such sumptuous, uplifting gems as 'Shore Song'. If the Boy Least Likely To were to travel to the moon with Badly Drawn Boy and describe the experience in song, this would surely be the result.
The false dawn of a Mercury nomination for 2002's 'Holes In The Wall' and a lack of mainstream acclaim for their other project, 'Brakes', has provided fresh impetus for the ESP to do well, and this shows. Simply a beautiful album, and one which deserves to be the breakthrough their hard work deserves.
James Keen
The Electric Soft Parade Official Site
The Electric Soft Parade Myspace
Buy The Electric Soft Parade CDs | Buy The Electric Soft Parade mp3s | Buy The Electric Soft Parade Tickets | Buy The Electric Soft Parade Merch
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