British Sea Power -‘Do You Like Rock Music?’ (Rough Trade)

A little while ago, I said that this was one of the releases of 2008 I was really looking forward to. So, how does it shape up?
First things first: ignore that godawful title. Sounding like the band are going to be horribly rockist (as the original post-punkers used to say) or alternatively, painfully clever-clever, it is neither of those things.
Perhaps if there is an immediate reference point -and this has been flagged up already- is fellow Rough Trade labelmates Arcade Fire, with the dreamy epic flavour to it that often is found on the Canadians’ albums. Apparently Arcade Fire are fans and this seems to spill into the record.
2003’s debut The Decline Of British Sea Power had a playful experimental feel at times, which seemed to be missing on the follow-up, 2005’s Open Season. Instead, the epic dreamyness is there with some genuine emotional ups, that sound fantastic on record and no doubt even more amazing live.
First single ‘Waving Flags’ has already made the Top 40 in the UK, and there are plenty of other excellent tracks here, including ‘Lights Out For Darker Skies,’ ‘No Lucifer’ and ‘Power Down On The Ground.’
Having played this album twice already, and found it more rewarding on the second listen, this is another excellent album from British Sea Power, containing their gorgeous songs, with still an element of the sheer ‘what are they on?’ that made them so intriguing in the first place.

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Do You Like Rock Music? is out now on Rough Trade records

British Sea Power -‘Lights Out For Darker Skies.’ mp3

British Sea Power -‘No Lucifer.’ mp3

British Sea Power -‘Power Down On The Ground.’ mp3