| This Week's Highlights |
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analysis w/e 14.5.11 |
DVDs out 9.5.11 |
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@ DVDfever Youtube |
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May 11 2011 
DVDfever co uk
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Wobble over, well almost. It’s been some five years or so since this reviewer last heard a Turin Brakes album, the excellent Jack In A Box. Since then, they’ve had a bit of a wobble, but they’ve almost rediscovered their mojo on Outbursts. Each album has seen the duo of Olly Knights and Gale Paridjanian evolve, but it seems for a brief period they went too far as they expanded into a kind of soft-rock band. Olly says:” I think our fans found it frustrating when they could see that we were having to play some sort of game when we signed to a major label”. They’ve now signed to Cooking Vinyl Records. Gale adds:” We thought ‘Let’s go back and do this whole thing like we used to’. Do it as a duo. That’s where the magic is”. Now, having returned to their roots, and an attempt to rekindle their original ethos, which formed part of the then New Acoustic Movement, they’ve stripped things back in places. In most part, TB have indulged themselves in some quality songwriting with Sea Change, the new single which was released on 22nd Feb, a prime example with strident acoustic strumming and lashing of strings, though to what degree it’ll re-engage those ‘frustrated fans’ is open to question. There are a few blots on the landscape though, like the limp Mirror, Invitation and the overly-cluttered Apocolips.
Thankfully stirring Rocket Song restores the balance aided by sweeping string arrangements that whip up a masterful crescendo, and great production values that bring this acoustic-based ballad to life. Paper Heart is quite beautiful, as they dip once more into their heritage of weaving strings and honeyed vocals without deeming it easy listening. The same trick is applied to Will Power, with equal success. The Midas touch returns on the stripped back acoustic-lead Embryos as it jollies along to minimalist bass-lines and guitar picks, which is their forte. Similarly, Never Stops hits the button as they rediscover their original musical soul, while the waltzy The Letting Down could become an end-of-the- night classic, drenched in swooning Olly vocals and pedal steel, making it the album’s highlight. Radio Silence is more filler than thriller about it, but they leave us with the divine love ballad Outbursts, which defines they’re much anticipated return. The verdict – Slow burner.
Weblinks: turinbreaks.com / myspace.com/turinbreaks / cookingvinyl.com
The full list of tracks included are :
As of April 2009, Blu-rays and DVDs reviewed by the editor are watched on a Panasonic TH-37PX80B 37" Plasma TV with a Sony BDP-1500 Blu-ray player and played through a Yamaha DSP-AX820 amplifier. PC games reviewed by the editor are on:
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Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
