The Bluetones

Just when you thought their indie pop number was well and truly up, Mark Morriss, Eds Chesters et al are back with their eponymous 5th studio album and first for Cooking Vinyl. In a manner as if they've never been away, their user friendly, Squeeze meets Lloyd Cole and the Commotions middle of the jangly melody pop road, feels almost as fresh as it did back in the 90's.

Kicking in with a drum groove and jaunty chirp of Surrender, it offers a welcome, if slight, return to those distinctive pleading vocals and sensitive musical arrangement. Not for them thrash and noise, but the thinking mans guitar band. Thank You Not Today could have come from the pen of Damon Gough, or Style Council circa My Favourite Shop, with its hint at guitar jazz yet never straying from pop. Current single My Neighbours House races out of the traps like vintage Oasis.

The sentimental gentle moments are provided by the David Walliams inspired Fade in/Fade Out, based on Messrs Morriss and Walliams' long standing friendship, and Last Song But One, both which err on the side of melancholy and make no apologies for it. Wasn't I Right About You closes the album in appropriately perky, vintage Bluetones fashion.

It may take a couple of plays to get re-aquainted with Mr Morriss and the gang's tones, but I think it'll prove to be worth the effort, especially if you're in a jangly, optimistic, upbeat mood and wish to stay that way.

For more info on their forthcoming November UK tour, visit http://www.bluetones.info/

Rob Barnett, Music News