Built around current Arena/John Wetton guitarist John Mitchell (who also
handles vocals), he is joined by drummer Gary Ford, bassist Martin
Raggett and keyboard player Patrick Darlington. This is the band's second
album, a follow-up to 1999's 'Neon'. Certainly a departure from other
Inside Out releases in that the Urbane are modern/alternative rock in sound.
'Chain Smoking A Way To Your Heart' is a crackin' opener - a strong
hook filled song and a single if ever there was one!
No real comparisons musically (maybe XTC and Radiohead at times), just damn fine guitar
driven rock like 'In-Between' and '12'. Bizarre track? Has to be the
cover of Cyndi Lauper's 'Time After Time', where it gets a Lemonheads
treatment. The cover works well, not least that it's a male vocal. Shades
of progressive rock can be found on 'Give It Away' in the switch between
light and shade musically. Only one minor criticism is that the album is a
tad overlong and possibly a couple of tracks could have made bonus tracks on
singles.
John Mitchell shows yet another side to his talents, in that not only is
he one of the better UK guitarists out there but has a decent voice as well.
It's a grower of an album and one I am sure that will still be played
years down the line unlike many 'instant' albums.
***** Out of this world | **** Pretty
damn fine |
*** OK, approach with caution unless you are a fan |
** Instant bargain bin fodder | * Ugly. Just ugly
