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Review: Jack Foley
Review posted in 2003
HAVING got everyone excited again following the Summer release
of their brilliant single, Loosen Your Hold, South seem
to have gone quiet for the moment, with the long-awaited second
album not now due until Spring 2004, at the earliest, in the UK.
An injury to Jamie McDonald probably hasn't helped matters (as
he has been unable to play guitar for around two months), but
it's frustrating to know that the album - With The Tides
- is already available in America and (worse) generating positive
reviews.
Ever the South enthusiasts, IndieLondon sent one intrepid member
to Las Vegas (ok, he was going already!) to seek out the LP and
bring it home... so that we could start indulging.
And the trip is worth it. With The Tides is another musical
masterpiece - an album described by the band, themselves, as an
evolution, which introduces more of a mature sound.
Producer Dave Eringa (Idlewild, Ash, Manic Street Preachers)
steps in to replace James Lavelle (who worked on the debut), and
tightens things up considerably, so that the 12 tracks clock in
at just a little under 45 minutes and have you pining for more
- as all good albums should.
Eringa has sought to bring out the intricate sounds contained
within each song, so that the whimsical banjo and harpsichord
on tracks such as Loosen Your Hold come to the fore, and
lend them a much more polished feel.
This isn't to detract from the glorious debut, of course, it's
just that South have reigned themselves in, in order to become
a little more accomplished.
The result is devastating - and really ought to be in UK record
shops now. The wait has been too long.
From the opening moments of the string-laden Motiveless Crime,
to the lilting harp of Nine Lives, this is a terrific record,
and one which is worthy of considerable acclaim... and success.
Whether playing it mellow and acoustic, or letting the guitars
take over, the songs retain a delicate beauty borne out of terrific
songwriting ability.
Colours in Waves, for example, is a gutsy, expansive symphony,
which would make an excellent single - with Joel Cadbury's laidback
vocals being offset neatly by McDonald's striking guitar riffs
(which are unleashed for a glorious rock-out, midway through).
While the early piano arrangement on Fragile Day is the
closest the band gets to recalling the sound of From
Here On In, and the Broken Head anthems especially,
before deciding on its own direction during the chorus.
Other highlights include the multi-layered rock of Same Old
Story, with yet more spine-tingling guitar riffs running throughout
it, and the McDonald-voiced ballad, Mend These Trends,
which expertly showcases the bands ability to compose intricate
songs that live long in the memory.
In the US, South's latest has provoked comparisons with The Doves,
Stone Roses and Ash (all quality outfits), while also being reminiscent
of Simon and Garfunkel and mellower Pink Floyd, which really ought
to give you a good indication of what to expect.
Not that the fans need any convincing - their growing fanbase
remains loyal to the end. It's just that, from listening to an
album this good, you feel that they really do deserve a much bigger
following... and this could be the album that does it for them.
With that in mind, roll on the Spring (when the breezy, laidback
sounds can best be appreciated), and let's pray for no more UK
delays.
With The Tides should well and truly put South on the
crest of the wave...
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