south - with the tides
a few years ago south had it all. logo/covers designed by ben drury, mo'wax collector scum clambouring for every special limited edition release, james lavelle dropping their names and tunes all over the cool places (a guitar band on mo'wax - the horror of it !).
how could the band fail?
i suspect that timing is all. the bands brand of delicate dance processed beats, epic guitar and melodic shenanigans just didn't quite take off. one possible reason was the fact that the 'from here on in' album was a meandering 70 minute opus that lost focus amongst the protools and studio trickery. not to say that it was a bad album, there were indeed moments of sheer brilliance matching stone roses and loved up club moods to a superb effect, as was demonstarated by another euphoric epic guitar led manchester trio who were to sweep up the masses very soon (hello doves).
strangely the album was then picked up by kinetic and released in america ages after the uk release. something clicked as the guys have got the chance to make this second album and prove it wasn't all hype and connections.
no longer tied to the albatross chic of mo'wax, the band now focussing on the us-of-a market the album has been out for a while there. thankfully sancturary have picked it up so the rest of the world can get to hear this fine album.
12 songs. 43 minutes. far more focussed and sharp.
the melodies are direct and instant. south have taken on board the criticism and dealt a sweeping blow to the wasted excess of old and crafted a more natural sounding guitar/bass/drum album. the lads still have a way with their trademark emotional epicness, bringing in the strings, mandolins, and harps whenever the need arises. but the emphasis is on the actual songs as opposed to the packaging.
i will admit that in the years since the bands first lp this type of subtle shoegazing guitars and beats has become a lot more available and several names are now making very similar kinda sounds .. still for many this will be a nice addition to their collection.