For those expecting a cutting edge electro-tech forage this album will come as a major shock. But if already primed by Mr Weatherall’s first vocal foragings on last year’s Double Gone Chapel set it’ll be a logical progression. Not only a consolidation of TLS busting out of electronic dance music and into exploring the music which originally inspired but a way of taking it on and, above all, honing the art of songwriting. Playing spot-the-influence is fun, sure. The opening ‘Patient Saints’ sees Andrew’s vocals double-tracked and slightly sinister in a way that recalls Diamond Dogs-era Bowie and the closing ‘Get Out Of My Kingdom’ could have come off the second B.A.D. album with its Mick Jones melody. Elsewhere, the Gun Club, Cramps, Stooges and any number of arcane rockabilly tunes flash past. But another dimension is added by Keith Tenniswood now playing guitar and Andrew’s lyrics being totally engrossing exercises in biting observation and a depth of wordcraft sometimes veering in a Nick Cave direction. They always had a way of sneaking in a craftily-gorgeous wobbly melody and those are subtly in abundance. Meanwhile, ‘Rattlesnake Daddy’ is a rolling pop classic. It’s like shedding skins and this sits quite comfortably next to the fearsome new Grinderman album. And that’s a compliment, by the way.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Kris Needs