Paper Scissors Stone - Catatonia > Reviews > Back Beyond Blue

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money

Advantages:	Classier  |  Cerys' voice  |  Better lyrics
Disadvantages:	Not as easy to get into as other albums

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

About 18 months ago Catatonia seemed more cursed than blessed, their latest single, Karaoke Queen, entered at a lowly 34 in the charts despite them lowering themselves to appear on Live & Kicking, their album had also not done as well as International Velvet both critically and commercially. It was then decided by the band to take a well earned break and to see where they were headed, this fuelled rumours of the bands imminent splitting up and even now the rumours still continue.

Catatonia have a rollercoaster ride of fame and fortune. Starting out as an unknown band touring around bars, not even being able to afford the cost of going over ‘pay-per travel across’ bridges they got their record deal and released their first album Way Beyond Blue. Despite the critical acclaim it failed to set the charts alight. They returned with International Velvet and although their first single, I Am The Mob, made little impact it was their second single, Mulder and Scully, which catapulted them into the limelight and into the charts, putting them at a well deserved number 3. Catatonia were now a household name and they managed to repeat their success with their fantastic third single Road Rage, winning the Q award for best single. The album sold bucket loads and anticipation was high.

Then came the ‘difficult third album’. They returned to the music scene releasing the beautiful single Dead From the Waste down, although it only managed number 8, lower than many predicted, the album went straight to number 1 but was quick to fall. Their other singles, Londinium and Karaoke Queen failed to enter high in the charts. The album failed to enter the hearts of many music critics either. Catatonia do admit that the album wasn’t their best, admitting it was all over the place in musical style.

It has been a long 18 months but the album (once called ‘Its What’s Not There That Makes What’s There What It Is) is finally finished. The tone of the album is far darker then the others released, its focus being on the perils of being in the spotlight all the time, which makes it unlike the Catatonia people know of…

1. Godspeed (4.18)

‘I log on for company, my ISP comforts me’

A great sweeping opening for the album and fairly quiet because of the noticeable lack of heavy guitar and drum playing, with strings taking over. Cerys shows that her voice can be soothing and sexy as well as loud and brash when she launches into the ‘Goodbye Godspeed’ chorus. The lyrics are also well written and you cant help but wonder if it is a kind of self reference ‘I’ve seen faces in high places messing up big style' and ‘If I’ve sounded distant thus far its because I’m as lost as you are’. A great opener which sets the mood of the album well.

2. Immediate Circle (2.54)

‘In my darkest hour of need they all become make believe’

The album is given a kick start with a wake up call from song number two. This song takes no prisoners in both lyrical and musical style. The guitars and drums are back in force and the tone is upbeat. Cerys snarls her way through the lyrics for the most part but still sounds as excellent as ever. The lyrics, again, give an insight into Catatonia’s lifestyle, with the realisation that many people they meet call themselves ‘friends’ but when they are needed most ‘they pretend they are sleeping’. A great track reminding you of the Catatonia of old.

3. Fuel (3.27)

‘Mountain toxic, river poison’

One of my favourites from this album. Again one of its best merits is the lyrics ‘Doom looms large on my horizon’, ‘We’ll build new ring roads to go nowhere in particular’ also an eye brow raiser is ‘Go ask the Government you voted in on trust, where is our fuel?’ maybe a reference to the fuel crisis? Cerys and the music doesn’t overbear on this track but still act pretty powerful.

4. What It Is (3.29)

‘Seems like were quite in demand’

Probably the most interesting track on the album because it is so different from what Catatonia have done before. A slightly distorted, in the background beat, Cerys is very laid back whilst singing this, almost just speaking the lyrics. The chorus ‘It’s what’s not there that makes what’s there what it is’ is nicely sung and overlapped to give it a bit more depth. The sound of this is very raw in parts. The song, albeit different, works very well though and we also hear one of the guys voices as well (at a guess I would say Mark Roberts, supplied the vocals for that part).

5. Stone By Stone (3.59)

‘On common ground we’ll build our castle walls’

The first single from the album and its is actually a high spirited song compared to the rest of the album. It seems that Catatonia realise they have made mistakes and famous life is harsh but this song proves the point that Catatonia have conquered a lot of ground in the world of music. Cerys’ voice is amazing as ever both being powerful in the last two choruses but also well controlled when it needs to be. The beat fits into the style, not too loud but very noticeable as well as string also being incorporated.

6. Mother Of Misogyny (3.34)

‘You’re so much a part of me, its life’s greatest tragedy’

A great little number on the album although with some of my favourite lyrics contained on this track. Cerys’ voice seems well placed, not too gruff nor innocent, very sweeping in parts, getting lower through the ‘m-i-s-o-g-n-y-n-y’ parts. The beat is, again, not too overpowering or loud.

7. Is Everybody Here On Drugs? (3.07)

‘Uppers, downers you don’t hang around us, we’ll give our lives no meaning’

Reportedly the favourite track of Cerys’ mum and the much touted Road Rage of the album, this track is by far the catchiest of the album. Catatonia, although serious for most of the album, show they still can have a little fun and add quirkiness to their songs. The chorus is excellent with Cerys attacking it with revived gusto that we saw in songs such as Mulder and Scully and Road Rage. The beat is far more upbeat than the other songs from the album, fast loud and a perfect compliment to the track with little time to slow down. This makes a great midway point of the album.

8. Imaginary Friend (3.18)

‘Something inside dies’

Probably the centrepiece of the album. The opening is quite slow, with Cerys high, soft voice alone with a piano, giving it a heartfelt and vulnerable style to it. It then breaks into a crashing of loud cymbals and guitars, building up to Cerys trademark rasping voice during the last few chorus. The paradox of both quiet and loud work very well on the track, showing that Catatonia can do both and not only that but mix them in the same song and manage to do it successfully.

9. Shore Leave (3.17)

‘I’m lustless, lifeless’

Another strong song of the album continuing an excellent run of songs for the middle of the album. Another quite lighthearted track especially compared to the previous one. Cerys once again uses her voice well, demanding attention. The beat is fairly laid back as well, with a happy go lucky kind of feel to it, despite it feeling out of place with the rest of the album.

10. Apple Core (1.23)

‘Don’t be so hard on yourself, no’

Consisting of only that line this is an interesting break from the ‘normal’ routine of songs. The electronic feel to it is quite relaxing as Cerys repeats the line. The full version of Apple Core was released as a B-side on the single featuring a far rockier version.

11. Beautiful Loser (3.41)

‘She would hide at the park and ride glued up to the gills’

After Apple Core the album slips back into darker territory with the songs not being as catchy as the others, however that doesn’t detract them as not being good, because they are. This song is possibly the most sombre one of the album, especially in lyrical content style but also Cerys simplistic vocals of ‘Song sounds blue’ parts makes it that bit more stark and depressing. The chorus, however, picks up the beat though, as well follow the life of an out of luck teenage girl.

12. Blues Song (3.27)

‘Your empty glass ain’t no crystal ball’

Not very blue at all although it could be self referring once again, linking into Cerys much liked taste for the old drink as it were. The song starts off strong musically and Cerys’ voice doesn’t strain but is quite laid back but does have a hint of sarcasm lodged into it. The chorus ‘Put those songs to sleep they don’t make me weep anymore’ gets her voice back to what we normally here from her. In essence its quite a simple track, it doesn’t particularly go anywhere or go for a big build up but is constant all the way through

13. Village Idiots (2.45)

‘But we’re village idiots and the party never stops but its OK’

The penultimate track is one last breath at the quirky Catatonia that we heard in Is Everyone Here On Drugs. Supposedly the lyrics come from Catatonia’s experiences of London. It is defiantly a fun track with a slightly funky electronic feel to it and a great upbeat tone to it. The lyrics are excellent too ‘’Cos to struggle would be meaningless. We are what we are every one of us’ is testimony that Catatonia can disguise a feel good message in a rather silly song. A great song to nearly end the album.

14. Arabian Derby (4.10)

‘Get up, get set, get ready, get high, get low get even’

Lacking the triumphant high of Dazed, Beautiful & Bruised which ended Equally Cursed and Blessed this is a far more mellow track which marks the end of the album, though not as slow as Way Beyond Blue and Selfish Gene which ended the other albums. The lyrics are a change from the opening track, with a feeling of optimism ‘We could be the first to cross the line’. The song builds up towards the end from a relatively slow start to bring a nice end to the album.

Paper, Scissors, Stone is defiantly more focused than Equally Cursed and Blessed. It also has proved that the break has done Catatonia good. This album has the simple sounds of Way Beyond Blue but in terms of lyrics Catatonia have reached new heights. Catatonia have acquired new maturity with their lyrics this time, giving each song a theme of its own, and by picking bits out you can relate it to their personal experiences on more than one occasion.

There are few downsides to the album, it lasts a good while and each song is excellent in its own right, not one is noticeably weak. However this album is not as easily accessible as the others and may take a few listens to get into fully because not all the tracks are going to be as happy or rocky as songs of old like Londinium, Road Rage and Mulder and Scully. Catatonia seemed to have done this record for themselves and credit goes to them for doing that.

This album probably isn’t going to be as commercially successful as the others. The first single entered at a quite low 18 and the album has reached 6 in the album charts. Yet this should win a few critics over and reviews have been very positive from what I have read. Catatonia do seem back on track.

Lets hope the future is a good one for group. The music is getting better but the troubles are still nonetheless there. Most noticeably Cerys being checked into rehab and the band cancelling concerts. Whichever way it goes this album is excellent in a lot of ways and whether it be the final one from them or one of many will have to be seen.

PAPER, SCISSORS, STONE IS

More mature than previous albums
Quite full of self references
Cerys at her singing best

PAPER, SCISSORS, STONE IS NOT

As ‘poppy’ as the other albums
As ‘happy’ as the other albums
Going to be as popular as the other albums