The sacking of two long-standing members and chief Shin James Mercer's 2010 collaboration with producer Danger Mouse may have sounded alarm bells among devotees. But it's largely business as usual here; bar the woozy soul of the title track, this is bookish, invitingly melodic college rock, delving liberally into the jangly navel-gazing of 80s British indie. Smart and anthemic, "40 Mark Strasse" and the Waterboys-channelling "Simple Song" provide ample evidence of why Mercer's songs are so widely cherished. But there remains something a little clinical about the efficiency with which he dispatches these studies in perky wistfulness.
Contributor
Ally Carnwath
Ally Carnwath writes on Africa and music for the Guardian and Observer
Ally Carnwath
The GuardianTramp
