Ian Broudie
is probably one of the least likely people to embrace electronica, but on their fifth album
Tilt
, some of
the Lightning Seeds
' dancier undertones are brought to the forefront.
The Seeds
are no strangers to stiff, computerized beats; because the band was technically
Broudie
's solo act until 1996's stellar
Dizzy Heights
, he often used a drum machine to round out the sound. That's why
, which is neither electronica nor rock, but merely danceable pop, is hardly a real reach for them. If anything, the album is a minor disappointment because it seems that just as the group began to sound like a live act (and enlisted
Zak Starkey
,
Ringo Starr
's son, as drummer) they reverted back to being a slick pop band. This is not to say that
is a bad record, however; it's quite the opposite. Some of the lyrics here are
's most affected yet, and some of the arrangements are very exciting. In a way, it's like a less-dated version of their debut
Cloudcuckooland
, released nearly ten years before this one. Highlights include the first single, the up-tempo
"Life's Too Short"
and the techno-rocker
"Crowdpleaser."
Occasionally,
sound like a warmer version of
the Pet Shop Boys
, especially on
"If Only"
and
"Happy Satellite."
Furthermore, the second single,
"Sweetest Soul Sensations,"
samples
Al Green
. Overall, however, the album gels into a cohesive statement that's sure to please both casual and die-hard fans of this excellent pop band. ~ Jason Damas