The Blue Aeroplanes
Anti-Gravity - Art Star 2011
Tracks: 1. Sulphur / 2. Angela Carter / 3. 25 Kinds of Love / 4. Oak Apple Day / 5. My Old Haunts (Laughing With a Mouth of Blood) / 6. Nothing / 7. Go Along With Me on This One / 8. Great Movie Cliches / 9. Pretty Head (Raising Cain and Pulses) / 10. One World Passport / 11. Born Again, Again / 12. Cancer Song
Comments:
The intervals between new studio albums from The Blue Aeroplanes have grown longer over the years. "Anti-Gravity" from 2011 comes four years after its predecessor "" Harvester ". The line-up from "Harvester", however, is intact and even expanded with Chris Sharp (bass) and Rita Lynch (vocals and guitar).
What struck me most about the first listen was that there is far more real singing on this album than is usually the case on The Blue Aeroplanes' albums. Even Gerard Langley actually sings on several numbers, where he is usually known for his speaking way of performing the numbers. it is though especially the addition of Rita Lynch who with her vocals contributes to this overall impression.
The album opens very strongly with "Sulfur" which has all the best you can expect from this group. A fine melody, crisp well-sounding guitars, Gerard Langley in front and actually singing on the chorus.
There are several other really nice numbers; none, however, quite on par with this opening song. "Angela Carter" is an light and short tribute (I think) to the author A. Carter.
"25 Kinds of Love" is a pop punk in the best Blondie style, with Rita Lynch significantly joining in on the chorus. "Oak Apple Day" is a quiet song, with nice slide guitar. "My Old Haunts" is another fine Blondie type of song, with a catchy chorus and fine guitar. "Nothing" is a small short melodic duet - again with slide guitar. "Go Along With Me on This One" is a pretty wild rocker - maybe a little atypical. "Great Movie Cliches" is at least atypical - countrylike with violin and banjo - perhaps a bit lightweight, too. "Pretty Head" has a nice guitar riff and heavy bass. Again a song where there is actually singing. "One Wild Passport" again has significant bass - and fine chorus. "Born Born Again" is another quiet short song; while the slightly heavy and gloomy "Cancer" rounds off the album.
Favourites: "Sulfur", "25 Kinds of Love", "Oak Apple Day", "My Old Haunts", "Pretty Head" and "One Wild Passport"
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