As soon as the intro started-up I kinda feared the worst. The unique guitar-playing of Butler is what set them apart for me and Richard Oakes, in fairness to him, wrote some memorable riffs when he was first thrown into the lions den as a kid with them. But this is so generic sounding until the chorus which is pretty decent. I kinda feel sorry for Brett - you can tell he now puts so much work into his writing after years of lazy list-like lyrics. At least they were his own though. These days he sounds like he's devoured the most acclaimed literature of the past decade (which I think he has, actually) and used them as inspiration to try and write some artsy words instead of showing some of himself. It really is striking how fresh a new recording and arrangement of an unreleased Pulp song sounds compared to this middle of the road effort.
I'd expect more of the same from the album. The odd memorable hook here and there, maybe even whole song, but swamped by a group trying too hard to sound vital. A real shame. First two albums and assorted songs after show how good Suede were but, on this evidence, aren't really anymore.
-- Edited by Eamonn on Monday 7th of January 2013 05:12:22 PM
I used to absolutely adore Suede but this does nothing for me at all I'm afraid to say. It all sounds very '80's and dated with a pompous and overblown production. Give me After You anyday of the week. Sometimes things are better left in the past I suppose.
Hmm...vocally he sounds good. Lyrically some ok bits, others make me cringe. He's still not got rid of that lazy habit of list-lyrics: "Like a...like a..." Guitar is a bit uninspired. Has Oakesy written any memorable riffs for this album, I wonder?
I don't like Barriers at all really, It Starts And Ends With You is much better in my opinion.
at the beginning of Barriers it reminds me of when Liam Gallagher tried to go back to his Oasis voice at the Olympics closing ceremony and ended up massively overdoing it.
-- Edited by Jarvgirl on Sunday 10th of February 2013 07:59:06 PM
-- Edited by Jarvgirl on Sunday 10th of February 2013 07:59:42 PM