•
Rating:
The Coral hold onto an old-school record pace, as they say nowadays; five albums in the span from 2002 to 2007 (if we include "Nightfreak And The Sons Of Becker"), with an average age still very young (the oldest is twenty-six). These facts alone speak volumes about the maturity and creativity of this talented band.
If the second last album "The Invisible Invasion" brought good success to the band across Europe as well, thanks to the (unexpected) hit "In The Morning", this new "Roots & Echoes" continues, increasingly decisively, to aim right there: when everyone (or almost everyone) in the U.K. is looking at the '80s, The Coral prefer to retreat another twenty years further back, and settle in the magical '60s.
"Who's Gonna Find Me", which preceded and also opens the album, seems lifted directly from the previous full-length, as does the perfect pop of "Remember Me" and the new single "Jacqueline" (the former more rhythmic and "jagged", the latter more regular and linear). Otherwise, we are treated to an unusual rock 'n roll ("In The Rain") and some variations on the theme, from the folk-tinged "Cobwebs" to the lively "She's Got A Reason" (even featuring a pleasant solo at the end), in addition to the melancholic "Fireflies" (perfect for a '60s dance floor) and "Not So Lonely". The balance heavily tips only at the end, thanks to a gem such as "Music At Night", an amazing track of over six minutes with a fast and engaging rhythm that shakes up a very (too) regular album right at the end.
To talk of sound flattening is quite a leap (the risk is there and it's significant, considering that The Coral are among the least guitar-centric bands from across the Channel), but Skelly and company have delivered a performance particularly lacking in surprises this time; nevertheless, they know how to make pop like few others, and you can't always expect a masterpiece every time. It should still be said that many bands can only dream at night of albums at this level, and this realization certainly counts for something.
The most classic of responses will come with the next album. Let's hope it's positive.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
03 Put the Sun Back (03:04)
I caught you crying
Trying to hide your tears away
And all the while
I never knew you felt this way
I've loved you from the start
How could we let this come apart ?
We've got to put
The sun back in our hearts
Through the alleyways
The avenues and dreary days
Your schoolyard eyes
Hypnotizing every time
When we kiss in the dark
Emotion tearing us apart
We've got to put
The sun back in our hearts
Down the cinder path
And through the hedge
Climbing up to the window ledge
Throwing lockets to make a scene
I can't explain, you know what I mean
I caught you crying
Trying to hide your tears away
But your crippled smile
Will always give the game away
Are we falling apart ?
Are we just walking in the park ?
Loading comments slowly
Other reviews
By sonic80
The Coral are one of the most interesting and creative bands to emerge in the UK in recent years.
"Roots And Echoes" is a further confirmation of the talent of these young guys.
