When I was looking through my CD's the other day I came across this album and forgetting I had it decided to give it a play. Suede are one of those bands that seem to have been around for as long as I can remember when in fact they released their debut album back in 1993. Everyone seems to know Suede but no one I know actually has any of their old albums. Well as I've just purchased the entire back catalogue of 4 albums for £20 I thought I'd get on and review this one.

The band actually formed back in 1989, in Hampstead West London and started doing small gigs at various venues around the capital before finally releasing their debut, self-titled album Suede in 1993. Now 10 years later and with this their 6th album, Brett Anderson and the rest of the band have a staying power that has seen them through. They really haven't been one of these bands who feel compelled to release new material all the time, rather letting album linger with 3 years between the previous album Head Music and this offering.

Brett Anderson - Vocals
Simon Gilbert - Drums
Alex Lee - Acoustic Guitar/Keyboards
Richard Oakes - Electric Guitar/Backing Vocals
Mat Osman - Electric Bass

The first single taken from the album, "Positivity" is also the first track on the album. The track starts slowly with a guitar intro, joined reasonably quickly by the drums before Brett comes in with the vocals. The track drifts along nicely lead by the guitar and driven nicely by Brett's superb vocals and the incredibly well written lyrics. One thing I find about Brett's voice is the distinctive tone it has and his ability to change it to suit different tracks.

Onto the second single from the album and the second track "Obsessions", which could easily be classed as the best track the band have done to date. The track has a simple beat right from the start as the drums and guitars kick it off. Brett's vocals carry the song well, with the accompaniment of a good guitar riff and the drums making a big contribution. The vocals really do make the track but the lyrics, co-written by Anderson and guitarist Richard Oakes will make a big impression on everyone whether you're a Suede fan or not.

"it's the way you scratch your skin when you yawn
it's the t-shirts that you choose like you're in the air force"

After Obsessions comes one of my favourite tracks on the album other than the previous track, "Lonely Girls". One of the relaxing tracks on the album it opens with the acoustic guitar on its own leading up to the vocals where Brett comes in. The mellow intro makes for a decent track, especially where the violin comes in and then reaching the chorus where the rest of the band join in the track really comes to live but still sounds fantastic. The vocal style has changed again but Brett really brings out the best in his lyrics. The guitar is the main driving force and makes this track really stand out.

Onto track 4 and we've come to "Lost In TV", another mellower track not quite as good as it's predecessor but still good. Again opening with a slow guitar from the start, joined fairly quickly by the vocals, which have changed style again but with a voice like Brett's he can actually pull it off. The drums come in after a short time, keeping a steady beat alongside the guitar moving the song up a level. Taking it nicely into the chorus and really giving it a decent direction to carry on. It seems that Suede have changed their musical approach over the years and I feel that this is the strongest album over the entire length of it.

Half way through the album and its onto "Beautiful Loser". A bit more upbeat start with the electric guitar and drums in from the start and the vocals joining in very quickly. The pace has certainly been picked up mainly by the drums being part of the song from the start but the guitars as well add a feeling to the track that despite the title makes it more of an upbeat track. Brett's vocals again work very well being fitted in nicely with a solid beat and again like on the other tracks this is mainly down to the lyrics being so well written.

"well you beautiful loser
well you beautiful lay
well you beautiful loser
you're coming down the hard way"

After that it's onto the 6th track, "Streetlife". Another more upbeat track that really keeps the flow of the album going nicely. It starts with the guitars and drums leading in before Brett comes in for the start of the verse. The drums and guitars keep a fast pace into and through the chorus. The songs very catchy and after a few listens it's almost a guarantee that you'll be singing along. The song again is well structured and Brett's vocal style has changed again with the lyrics and musical aspects of the song gelling well, making this another highlight of the album.

A different feel to the starts of "Astrogirl", which starts using a sample before a very chilled out slow guitar comes in. Making this probably the mellowest track on the album, drifting by with the guitar and the vocals from the start and the drums joining not far behind that. Brett's vocals sound a little dodgy in places, not quite as strong as on the other tracks but the track sounds good. The slow pace of the guitars and drums really compliment the lyrics well. One thing that seems to be missing from the album is the old Suede glam approach that were so evident in tracks like Filmstar but that's not really a bad thing as this album doesn't have any real weak links, with this one probably being the worst if you can call it that.

Then comes the longest track on the album, which on the rear cover is split into 2 different titles with "Untitled" and "Morning" but they are both the same track. The track starts very slowly with Brett's vocals in from almost the start after a short piano intro. The slow start carries on through this first verse before the guitars and then the drums come in leading the track into the chorus methodically. Although quite a slow pace I feel his vocals work much better on this track than on the previous one. In the middle the track seems to stop but faintly carries on with the second half coming in.

Morning is a little bit more upbeat but starts with a slow acoustic guitar and Brett's vocals, for one of the stronger sections of the album. The lyrics are sublime and along with the guitar they really fit well together making this sound like a better track every time you hear it. Personally I feel it should have been split into 2 completely separate tracks but I suppose the effect it creates really sets a calm relaxed mood. Only using the guitar as well for this part makes this sound like one of those tracks you just know if heard live would blow you away.

"rub your eyes as nature sighs
the population's yawning
as you step in your shoes there's so much to do"

Before you know it you've only got three tracks to go and one of them is "One Hit To The Body". A much more upbeat feel right from the beginning makes for a more uplifting track. The guitars and drums lead it in with the vocals joining in fairly quickly. Again Brett's vocals sound superb being carried along well by the guitars and the drums are keeping a good structure within the track. Again nothing like the old glam sound of Suede but a very good track that makes you wonder why they only released two singles from this album, it had so much more potential.

The last official track on the album is "When The Rain Falls", but there is a bonus track, which seems to have been added permanently. A slow start on the piano, hints towards a mellow track and that quickly turns out to be the case. The drums and vocals come in almost simultaneously with the guitars joining in shortly afterwards. Another well written, very mellow track that just absorbs you into the track. The drums really take control of the track with the guitar taking more of a back seat but still fitting in very nicely.

As I already mentioned the last track is a bonus but no matter where I've looked at this album on the net for pricing its been included. The track "You Belong To Me", is a welcome addition. As I was saying before about the lack of the older Suede glam tunes this is probably the nearest to it on this album. It starts off at a fairly fast pace with the guitars from the start before the drums join in to give it some direction and drive. The vocals again are strong when they do come in and the lyrics again sound superb, which is of great testament to Anderson's writing abilities. The guitars are the main lead on this one and really make this a very listen able track.

"oh you might walk down by the station
through garbage and rust
breathing all the diseases just like I do"

Although a lot of the original Suede fans may not agree I think this is probably their best overall album and a great way to carry on the tradition of making great tracks with Obsession being one of the best, if not the best they have ever made. The lack of the glam tracks will be seen by traditional fans as a bad thing, but in order to encourage people to really get into this band then this is the album to start with. The new singles collection shows a compilation of the bands best work and hopefully shows they will carry on for sometime. If you wish to buy this album, A New Morning, then head over to www.cd-wow.com where you can pick it up for just £6.99.

Cheers
Andy