They achieved wide spread commercial success with their debut album, including two UK top ten hits with 'Chelsea Dagger' and 'Whistle For The Choir'. This success wasn't replicated to the same extent with their next album 'Here We Stand', and they took a three year hiatus from 2009. 'Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied' is the bands second album since returning from this break.
The first track on the album is 'Me And The Devil', this has a catchy opening piano piece and vocals. I like the chorus, with it's positive chord progressions and upbeat vocals. The second track on the album is where the folk/country sound that covers much of the album kicks in. This track is quite repetitive and annoying in parts, it also lacks the instrumental quality that can be seen on many tracks in the genre.
'Baby Don't You Lie To Me' carries on this a similar sound but I think the quality of the vocals is much higher and they're much more soulful. The next track is 'Desperate Guy', this features vocals that sound like a weak attempt at a Van Morrison impression and instruments that feel quite watered down. This combination doesn't make for good listening. 'Thief' has a similar sound to the previous track but the chorus is catchier and the rhythm is more interesting.
'Dog Town' is perhaps my favorite track on the album, it has an opening riff that draws you in, and vocals that bounce over the beat. Parts of this track remind me of 'Come Together' by The Beatles and other parts make me imagine a kind or weird cabaret show. 'Slow' is a much slower track, as the name suggests, it kind of feels like it should be playing during the closing credits of a cheesy romantic comedy. Although this track technically isn't that bad, it's just very boring and unimaginative.
This album doesn't improve as it reaches its end. 'Getting Surreal' doesn't seem to fit together as a song at all and 'Moonshine' just shows how badly the band are trying to appeal to a new, country, audience. I appreciate the fact that the band are trying to head in a new direction with this album, but I don't think this sound works for them. There isn't much consistency with their sound and the quality of the tracks is very hit and miss. They also seem tick every folk/country cliche in the book as they attempt to migrate to a genre that simply doesn't suit them.
Highs:
Me And The Devil
Dogtown
Lows:
Desperate Guy
Moonshine
Rating: 4.1/10
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