Saint Etienne’s classic 1991 debut album “Foxbase Alpha” has been re-worked for 2009, with Richard X on production duties, and what we’ve got here is a limited edition 4 track teaser. The Neil Young cover that went on to be one of thee best Balearic anthems ever, “Only Love Can Break Your Heart”, opens the sampler with all the extra bits in all the right places, as subtle keys hover and drive all your favourite parts (musical and otherwise), and as the temperature rises in comes some Spanish guitar. Lovely! There’s also an instrumental which will keep the TV & Film people happy. Meanwhile Sweden’s Air France bring us the joys of “Spring”, beefing up the breaks and adding some nice slightly skwiffy touches. Then it’s back to Richard X for an update on “Girl VII”, giving it more of a blazing in sunshine feel. This sampler is done with the upmost respect for Saint Etienne’s originals, and I can’t wait to hear the rest of the LP. Spot on.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Dean Thatcher