IT IS tempting to suggest that the decline of British Sea Power can be charted from their first album called, ironically, the Decline of British Sea Power.
Such was the sheer brilliance of their debut that BSP have struggled to hit the heights again.
True Adventures from Open Season and a couple of rousing anthems from the Mercury-nominated Do You Like Rock Music? and Valhalla Dancehall indicated that the flame was still burning brightly, but sporadically.
Machineries Of Joy, named after a collection of short stories by Ray Bradbury and dealing with topics as diffuse as Franciscan monks, ketamine and French female bodybuilders turned erotic movie stars, continues this tradition of “very good, but not quite great” BSP albums, with the coruscating K-Hole, the delectable A Light Above Descending and the uplifting Radio Goddard setting standards which cannot be maintained throughout this intriguing album.
Nevertheless, BSP continue to deliver thoughtful and individual rock music, for which we should be eternally grateful.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here