Nightfreak And The Sons Of Becker - Coral (The)

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Average
Lyrics	Standard
Quality and consistency of tracks	Mixed
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Average
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	Good to pass half an hour
Disadvantages:	Just half an hour long .  .  .

Recommend to potential buyers:

no

Full review

Just who exactly are The Coral?

Well, truth be told, I had not heard of them until The Invisible Invasion was released in the summer. The line-up of the band is as follows:

James Skelly - guitar / vocals
Ian Skelly - drums
Nick Power - organ / vocals
Bill Ryder-Jones - guitar / trumpet
Lee Southall - guitar / vocals
Paul Duffy - bass / sax
John Duffy - Percussion

The Coral blend indie, rock and ridiculous music to make a catchy brand of music. In just three years they have put out four albums. Albeit that most of them tend to be poorly produced. The one I am about to review is a limited edition album. Enjoy...

I happen to be seeing The Coral tomorrow night! Last Sunday, I thought I would just get this album to boost my Coral knowledge if you will. Just £2.46 (not sure if I should say where) was an absolute bargain for a whole album. The only downside to this is that it last just 28 minutes.

Precious Eyes - This sounds very rocky. One to mosh to, although the singing does seem to be outweighed by the instruments at times. The song changes tempo throughout and the end it just bobbles along with James Skelly repeated "her precious eyes...". Nice, neat number. 7/10.

Venom Cable - A catchy drum intro with a guitar appearing from nowhere, then all of a sudden there's a bass guitar, then another guitar! Finally Skelly comes in with the vocals that yet again sound poorly produced. It is a bit silly, a bit psychedelic - a more poppier version of Happy Mondays? Except less troublesome... Some may love it, some may hate it. Most will think it is a decent tune. 7/10.

I Forgot My Name - Then all of a sudden Venom Cable moulds into this. Skelly sounds like he is talking into a speakerphone here - he probably is! The lyrics don't make sense to me but it still sounds like a silly jazz song. 6/10.

Song of the Corn - A guitar or two start this song of, they aren't sure whether to be mournful or happy. They decide to be mournful, slow and yet again Skelly's voice is barely audible. I can hardly make out any lyrics. The other instruments are good but the voice is the thing everyone wants to hear. Harrumph. 5/10.

Sorrow or the Song - FINALLY! AUDIBILITY (is there such a word?). For once you can hear Skelly's voice and it sounds great. A slow song, a foot tapper, no doubt, although it is my upper thigh that is moving along to it. One of the best on the album. 8/10

Auntie's Operation - Much, much more up tempo compared to SotS. And it is zany, madcap, ridiculous. But I love it. 8.5/10.

Why Does The Sun Come Up - Just 38 seconds short! It's a weird instrumental that sounds like a police siren going all the way through.

Grey Harpoon - The intro sounds ghostly, and this time it really is a foot tapper. Skelly's voice again is better produced and it is very good. The song keeps the same rhythm all the way through, it gets you entranced in the song and when you wake up the album is over! And it only entrances you for 10 minutes *wink wink*.

Keep Me Company - What sounds like African tribe drums brings us into the song. It sounds dark, mysterious, with sinister undertones...The vocals are a bit quiet in my opinion but they are still audible. Well that is in the first minute anyway, then when guitars come in it just completely mutes the vocals. Which is quite annoying. But nonetheless it is serene, a lullaby almost with a hint of evil. 7/10.

Migraine - More zany music from the Scousers. The title of the song gives it away, it's about a migraine (a really, really bad headache). It is either made up or a list of symptoms to check if you have a migraine. Completely mental. 6.5/10.

Lovers Paradise - This has to be taking the mickey. It sounds like it is done by a 7 year old. This is a proper lullaby, something that would be played over the speakers before a band comes on to the stage at a gig. That's only if the people who select the songs played are trippin their backsides off.

This album is not the best by a long shot. Released just last January it is hardly groundbreaking. Overall I'd give it 6 or 7 out of 10. At £2.46 it is a bargain either way, but you wonder if it would be worth 6 or 7 quid let alone 10. This will not appeal to that many people I reckon.