Customer Reviews

Decline of British Sea Power

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a strong debut album. Yet all of the egregious hype it has received is only going to bring about unrealistic expectations from DJs and listeners that could, ultimately, hurt the band. Since I first heard of this group, I've read reviews comparing them to Joy Division, The Pixies, Radiohead, David Bowie and a host of other innovative luminaries. In reality, British Sea Power offer raspy tenor-baritone vocals over fairly typical stadium guitar rock. They do what they do very well and convincingly, especially when they avoid lengthy jams like the one at the end of "Lately". But they haven't reinvented the wheel with this one. Apart from a few tunes that have a lighter touch augmented by piano, synth, effect pedals, and backing vocals that sound like a male choir, the bulk of this album consists of the kind of indie guitar rock that's been recorded throughout the 90s in Britain. I'm reminded of Suede, the Super Furry Animals (w/o the electronic element), the Manic Street Preachers, and Crispy Ambulance.

British Sea Power may not really be "THE NEXT BIG THING!!!", but they've got a solid record here.

The musical force of this band seemed unlikely this past 2003 Spring Break. There were about 30 people at the show. These guys flew from Europe to play ONE show...ONE...in Austin, Texas for 30 people.

We met the guys, and they had an intensity in their eyes, much like a young boy trying ferociously to learn to ride a bicycle. It was the kind of determination that foreshadowed their performance, and ultimately their philosophy...No matter how many people are watching, 30 or 3000, we will put on a show that they will remember.

And yes, I remember quite well just how much these gentlemen (if I can use that term) literally lit up the 8 foot stage they played on.

Dressed entirely in camouflage and war coats, they decorated the stage with foliage. Perhaps you have heard this about them. Pretty funny. My friends and I brushed them off immediately, taking this setup as a gimic. We were mistaken, and fortunately, we stuck around to see them play.

INCREDIBLE. And I have pictures to prove it. I don't even know these guys' names...but for 45 minutes, they tore us apart. "Carrion" was what they played first, if I'm not mistaken...a beautifully tragic tune that carries a fast rhythm, yet doesn't go overboard...you're caught in between the intensity and the innocence of their approach. Pretty great, in other words.

Each song built up gradually until their last opus, "Lately". How would I describe this song, other than a tour-de-force of sound approach and technique. The beginning guitar riffs show the harmonics of mainstream acts such as Coldplay, and early u2, their "Unforgettable Fire" era. However, the bass kicks in, and descends the scales much like Bowie's Spiders From Mars would in the early 70s. The song reached its Apocalypse, however, when every instrument explodes into a fury that could only be proven by their live show...and they delivered that completely.

The "explosion" I mentioned is a blend of the surreal shoegazer noise of My Bloody Valentine's "Loveless" and The Stooges "L.A. Blues"...a complete disregard for everything you would expect in a pop song, rock song, any song.

The guitarist whirled his guitar around and actually threw it into the crowd, careening into a young guy's shoulder. And everyone looked up to the stage in unison, jaws dropped. The guy was actually hurt. THEN, the guitarist climbed the rafters of the stage and found the club's storage closet. He then proceeded to launch 10 pound chairs down at the crowd below, running every which way for cover and safety. Meanwhile, the singer flies off the stage and lands head first onto the floor we're frantically running around on, and flops around like a fish out of water. Chairs are still flying down like snow. Bouncers and bartenders are trying to get him down, shouting and screaming.

I look around...everyone else is doing the same. Yet there's this beautiful feedback, harmonizing from the amps. Everything was moving in slow motion. I just smiled. These are the kind of concerts that change the world. British Sea Power is taking their music to the streets, to whoever will listen.
Now, they're opening for Interpol.
Soon, they will be be headlining, and some Lester Bangs-esque journalist will write about how he once saw a band that wore folige, blew his mind with their beautiful noise, and made him believe again that music is still out there to be heard.
Get the album.
See them perform.
Believe it.

HOME THOUGHTS FROM THE SEA
Robert Browning (1812-1889)

NOBLY, nobly Cape Saint Vincent to the North-west died away;
Sunset ran, one glorious blood-red, reeking into Cadiz Bay;
Bluish 'mid the burning water, full in face Trafalgar lay;
In the dimmest North-east distance dawn'd Gibraltar grand and gray;
'Here and here did England help me: how can I help England?'-say,
Whoso turns as I, this evening, turn to God to praise and pray,
While Jove's planet rises yonder, silent over Africa

A great album evoking both despair and hope in the great British tradition

There are so many influences running though this band, and they are all so expertly melded into one style, that it's hard to pin them down. By turns abrasive and highly melodic, The Decline of British Sea Power is a persuasive calling card. At the end of the day, they remind me more of the much missed The Wedding Present than anybody. But this CD is so good it doesn't make me run over to the cabinet and pull out Watusi.

Just wanted to echo the review from "A music fan" in Chicago. I bought the album and loved it, but their live show at the Empty Bottle was one of the best that I've seen. Don't miss it.

Lot's of reviewers here compare these guys to Joy Division. I don't see that at all. The music and vocals owe a lot more to The Wedding Present than to anything else I've heard, so I'd say that's a more accurate comparison. However, these guys have more stylistic variety than TWP did, so the comparison only serves as a starting point or an excuse for someone who liked that band to listen to this one, and then I'd bet you dollars to doughnuts that you'll end up liking these guys better. This album loses one star for starting off with three real thrashy songs that may scare away some listeners, but once you get past song four then the real rewards kick in. Definitely worth a purchase for fans of intense and intelligent British indie rock.

I bought this after having read something about them in CMJ or Mojo, decided to take a chance. Now two weeks later I can't take it out of my CD player. Fantastic. Different pacing in different songs but great sounds. I can't get the words to "Remember Me" or "Something Wicked" out of my head, "Heavenly Waters" is a great instrumental -- I can't find anything bad to say about them. British Sea Power are coming to Washington DC soon and I'll be there.

Although labeled as pretencious Brits, I have to say that i dont care how they act, and only ask that they contiue to make music like this. This album has a somewhat unique sound, changing rapidly fro the first song to the last. The epic "Lately," is reason enough to buy this.

You can easily see why the british press is in love with this band. the big hit single is 'childhood memories' but play that with song 5, then 7, and then blackout. If by that point you don't think this is the best band to come around in some time, I don't know what to tell you.

It reminds me of a psychedelic "Wedding Present" or maybe a cross between Stone Roses and Sonic Youth. I definitely hear a bit of Interpol in there too. Their live show is supposed to be amazing with the band all dressed in sea uniforms, enough so that with their touch of psychedelia, you can even understand the comparisons to Echo and the Bunnymen. And certainly, a couple songs sound like early 70's bowie. All in all, they've got the sound of 'a different kind of same', as sonic youth puts it.

I LOVE these guys. Best album of the year so far.

I don't usually write reviews, but I think this band is such an enigmatic anomaly, that I feel the necessity to praise them. While they do emulate the Pixies and early Bowie, with a modern Radiohead / Stooges influence, they are quite original. Somewhat too "themed", I like the theme and have been waiting for this type of thing for quite awhile. A very promising 1st release indeed. I expect great things of this band. British Sea Power creates an atmosphere of being lost at sea amid chaotic modernity, and echoes Dinosaur Jr. and Echo and the Bunnymen, but only in musical styles. I can only hope for more modest offerings from them in the future. Too self concious but abound with beautiful moments. I hope to hear more tracks like "Something Wicked" and "Remember Me." Most songs border on trite through their theme but the imagery is right on point. Let's hope to hear more poignant reflections on the next one. I hope they apply this imagery in a less concious way and interject some more abstract lyricisms. I am fascinated by these guys. Still needs a few more listens I'm sure.