They Say :- Seminal Irish rockers THERAPY? are set to release thunderous new album ‘A Brief Crack Of Light’ on February 6th 2012. It will be preceded by the ‘Living In The Shadow Of The Terrible Thing’ single on January 23rd.
Released on BLAST Records (a subsidiary of The Global Music Group), ‘A Brief Crack of Light’ was recorded at Blast Studios in Newcastle with producer Adam Sinclair (New York Dolls, The Unthanks) and displays a stunning mix of angular rhythm, anthemic might and insidious melody.
The band have also announced a mouth watering tour in April with Ragga metal uberlords SKINDRED. The Jägermeister sponsored event runs over 5 nights, with several of the nights already SOLD OUT!!!
We Say :- It’s hard to believe that it’s now 21 years since Therapy? unleashed their debut mini-album ‘Babyteeth’ on the world. Looking back over their career, with it’s incredible highs (5 Top 40 singles – something an X Factor winner would kill for) and miserable lows (line-up changes, closed labels), it’s a remarkable achievement that they are still a unit and frequently releasing albums which break new ground and add more classics to the Therapy? cannon.
‘A Brief Crack of Light’ is their 13th release and first since 2009’s ‘Crooked Timber’, which seemed to spark a slight revival in fortunes for the band, culminating in a hefty tour schedule and growing acclaim. In my eyes they have always been a member of the ‘most underrated band’ club and it’s nice to see them get a little more of the respect they deserve. The upcoming Jager tour with Skindred will be a great opportunity for people to discover they aren’t just a one trick pony.
While the uninitiated will be instantly making comparisons to their early work, especially ‘Troublegum’, the real beauty of Therapy? is their ability to surprise and amaze with their unpredictable sound.
The initial sound of ABCoL is that of a band perfectly in synch with each other and creating some of their strongest riffs and melodies to date. It’s clear that this album was developed from lengthy jam sessions and this adds a great organic feel to the songs. Further listens unearth more layers of industrial tinged vocals and guitar effects and some of the catchiest drum rhythms you’ll hear this year. Lyrically the album is dark. Very dark. But the upbeat punk edged guitars and offbeat rhythms keep things from getting too miserable.
Opening with lead single ‘Living In The Shadow Of The Terrible Thing’ and ‘Plague Bell’, while both songs are very good – ‘Shadow’ in particular – they are both a little safe. Or as safe as you get in Therapy? World. Track 3, ‘Marlow’, on the other hand is an excellent curveball, being mainly instrumental. Opening with a gently picked intro it smoothly builds to an upbeat and actually quite pretty tune with singalong ‘aaah’s’. Weirdly this conjured up thoughts of Focus’ ‘Sylvia’ on first listen – a comparison which I now can’t get out of my head. Unlike a lot of instrumentals, this doesn’t outstay it’s welcome and is one of the strongest tracks.
From here it’s top class tunes to the end – special mentions must go to ‘Before You, With You, After You’ and ‘Get Your Dead Hand Off My Shoulder’, which should be aired live and be mainstays of the set for years to come. The musical drop outs and solo vocal lines of ‘Dead Hand’ are excellent and showcase the strong vocal performance from Andy Cairns which is prominent throughout the album.
Closing track ‘Ecclesiastes’ is a stunning laid back but pitch black song. It’s electronic vocals and haunting melody makes for a great end to a fantastic record.
‘A Brief Crack of Light’ is a stunning record. Therapy? have always been at their best when they are given the freedom to make the music THEY want and long may it continue. It’s always infectious to hear a band operating at the top of their game and with ABCoL Therapy? have made an album that many will find difficult to top.
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