Wild-at-heart indie rockers British Sea Power probably should be bigger at this point in their firmly entertaining career. After all, they’ve amassed plenty of affection and acclaim since their 2001 emergence – and their excellent third album, 2008’s Do You Like Rock Music?, was a worthy contender for the Mercury Prize.
Valhalla Dancehall, however, proves BSP are simply happiest left to their own devices – such as experimental film projects (their 2009 Man Of Aran soundtrack) and hosting high-altitude rural festivals (at Yorkshire’s Tan Hill Inn) – rather than helming any scene.
This time, their bracing Boys’ Own adventures seem slightly scruffier and more rough-and-tumble, although the songs are immediately recognisable.
The strongest tracks on Valhalla Dancehall bristle with the energy of BSP’s live gigs, including the reassuringly rugged Who’s In Control (‘I wish protesting was sexy on a Saturday night’) and the woozy rave-up of latest single Living Is So Easy.
Admittedly, they do sound rather comfortable with their loyal fanbase, they’re now eking out the youthful charm, and there’s little in the way of innovation, despite the sci-fi electronics.
Still, they’re capable of captivating contrasts, between the dreamy (Cleaning Out The Rooms; Once More Now), the raucous (Thin Black Sail) and the vividly weird (Mongk II). This is a strange kind of party but it’s worth sticking around.
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