Masterminds

Reliving the past…what a concept. Rarely achieved and seldom done successfully. However, in the world of music, there are the exceptions. In 1994 Suede, as we came to know and love them, were no more. When Bernard Butler split company with Brett Anderson, it was deemed "a severed alliance that could never be repaired". Fast forward to the 21st Century and we have The Tears. This, the long awaited (and very surprising) reunion between two of the best songwriters ever to come out of England. Their latest offering is called “Here come the tears”. It will instantly remind you of several Suede albums, now ripe with hints of healing and a result that is both epic and astonishing. Dog Man Star, possibly the best album ever recorded, is definitely an influence here. “A Love As Strong As Death” brings back all the ethereal and grand sounds of “Still Life” (not in his infamous operatic way, but just as compelling). To me, this one is another classic sci-fi lullaby. The strings, the horns, the swaying guitars and Bretts voice soaring between the ears...pure heaven! I immediately loved “Two Creatures” which could have been taken straight off the “Coming Up” cd. As it plays on, you instantly envision a glamorous couple running through the streets of London, longing to escape the rush and bustle of the big city…searching for the sun and quiet seaside life (this is typically Suede’s mantra). “The Ghost Of You” is, in a word (with no pun intended here), haunting, in dealing with the aftermath of a death or more aptly, the death of a relationship and the seemingly impossible task of moving on.
Largely, this album covers all genres, from brash and beautiful pop songs, to ballads that will fill your soul, but all delivered in "perfectly formed packages". If you know your music, you might make comparisons to Mark Bolan, Bowie, Jarvis Cocker and even, dare I say, Mr. Simon Le Bon! Glam Rock never sounded so good.
Q magazine dubbed this cd " hopelessly overwrought" and "Frustratingly wrong-headed"...OH SHUT THE FECK UP!