Feeder
Pushing The Senses

THE REVIEW

It was a hot July afternoon a couple of summers ago when I saw Feeder live for the first time, opening for R.E.M. I didn't know them well and was left disappointed by their bland pop rock.
Fast forward a couple of years, here they are again, these three guys with "Pushing the senses," an album I purchased more out of curiosity than genuine interest in the band. I certainly didn't expect to find such a beautiful album, though.

"Pushing the senses" is a pop rock record that offers nothing in terms of originality but surprises with its great melodies, intensity, energy, and the quality of the lyrics in these ten songs. An album dedicated to one of the band's two founders, bassist Jon Lee, who committed suicide in 2002. In fact, the lyrics of the first three songs written by the band's other founder, guitarist, singer, and lyricist, Grant Nicholas, are dedicated to the departed friend.
Pain, anger, and regret are the prevailing sentiments of "Pushing the senses."
Feeling A Moment energetically opens the album, followed by the intense Bitter Glass, which paves the way for the single, Tumble And Fall, a rock ballad of rare beauty.
Then the album moves on between rock tracks (the best is Pilgrim, a track that recalls the power and catchiness of Green Day) and sweet ballads (foremost Pain On Pain, where keyboards lay a carpet over which Grant Nicholas's voice becomes more melancholic and intense than ever).

In short, an album of great quality, both for the lyrics and melodies, short and catchy, that knows how to surprise while not discovering anything new.