British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music?
(Rough Trade)
http://www.britishseapower.co.uk

British Sea Power’s third album and follow up to 2005’s acclaimed Open Season shows a captivating maturity for the Brighton four-piece.

Do You Like Rock Music? offers lyrical intellect, dark melody, sharp production and an array of emotions and influences. A cathedral-like intensity runs through the album, beginning with strings and chanting on All In It and continuing on the engaging 6 minute epic of second track, Lights Out For Darker Skies, which instantly commands attention.

Two singles have already been no released; No Lucifer whose lyrics reference the Hitler Youth, and standout track Waving Flags, an orchestral dream-like anthem to equal The Flaming Lips, whereas the waves of chimes in The Great Skua and frenetic guitar of Atom draw immediate comparisons with Arcade Fire. BSP delve further into their reflective side for Canvey Island and the beautiful No Need To Cry, wrapping up where they started - a reprise of All In It in the form of We Close Our Eyes (80s fans, please note: this is NOT a cover of Go West’s pop classic).

British Sea Power are liberators of dreary British mainstream, breaking through the confines of what ‘indie-rock’ can achieve. We need bands to broaden horizons and produce albums like this, who are eccentric, stimulating and whose live performances can live up to their studio albums. Do You Like Rock Music? is an exquisite album and would be a fantastic contender - and a real one - for the Mercury Music Prize. Treat yourself.

Ali Rees