Label – Rough Trade
Produced by BSP & Graham Sutton
If nothing else, one has to concede that British Sea Power take progression by re-invention very seriously. From early noughties post punk and Indie rock to 2008’s radio friendly “Do You Like Rock Music”, to the dense film soundtrack music of “Man Of Aran” the Sussex band make every effort to avoid a pre conceived formula. “Valhalla Dancehall” takes a piece of everything from their back catalogue with the addition of a restrained, carefully paced sound that stretches many of the songs beyond their concise conclusions to a meandering mist of attention halting instrumental emptiness. Brevity is far from BSP’s intention as they exhaustively test the listener’s commitment with the energy sapping 11 minute “epic” “Where Are They Now”, and clocking in at over an hour “Valhalla Dancehall” requires an iron will to digest in one sitting.
The leadoff single, “Living Is So Easy” is probably the most lightweight, uninspired piece of pop fluff the band have ever committed to tape, with Yan’s flat harmonies bemoaning superficial modern life and the culture of empty consumerism. There’s infinitely greater vigour and zest in the opening lines of “Who’s In Control”; an unadulterated rocker that matches a memorable chorus with the singer’s urgent delivery. The rousing post punk of “Thin Black Sail” comes as a mighty relief pitched between the two most arduous songs on the album, and at least shows that British Sea Power can still thrill to the bone. “We Are Sound” has all the joyfully overblown extravagance that hallmarked “Do You Like Rock Music”, and deserves single release status. The transition between gentle piano balladry and the powerfully anthemic chorus of “Georgie Ray” reminds one of Danny Wilson at their best.
Whilst British Sea Power resolutely stick to their principles of unpredictability, “Valhalla Dancehall” runs aground in an effort to pack past glories with new found mid tempo multi textured arrangements that lack punch or focus.
6/10
1 Who’s in Control 3:14
2 We Are Sound 4:47
3 Georgie Ray 3:47
4 Stunde Null 2:38
5 Mongk II 4:48
6 Luna 4:16
7 Baby 5:46
8 Living Is So Easy 4:01
9 Observe the Skies 3:23
10 Cleaning Out the Rooms 7:11
11 Thin Black Sail 1:46
12 Once More Now 11:13
13 Heavy Water 3:39
Who’s In Control?
Living Is So Easy
