Nature and Degree - Section 25 Album Review

Section 25

Album Review

Blackpool's Section 25 have certainly gone through some line-up changes - for this, their umpteenth set, they have had another overhaul. Ian Butterworth and Roger Wikely (represented by a few songs in this collection) have departed to be replaced by Stuart Hill, Stephen Stringer and family member, Bethany Cassidy who adds a subtle vocal topping to the superior "Remembrance" and pulsating "Forty Days" with a deft aplomb. Suddenly S25 have discovered beauty all over again and have made an electronic-flavoured album without forgetting the intensity that put them where they are today - in a lot of people's hearts.

The CD kicks off with "Pop Idol 1" and ends with "Pop Idol 2", two near instrumentals that act as a ring-fence around a swathe of varied songs reminiscent of all of the best bits of "Part Primitiv", "Love & Hate" and the enigmatic soundtrack of faith, hope and clarity, "From The Hip". Rob Gretton (Factory Records board member) was once quoted as saying of S25, "Your gimmick is that you don't have a gimmick" - Tony Wilson (Head Factory board member) followed that quote up with "You haven't got a manager...why?".

But the Cassidy's have swum to the other side of life's piss-filled lido and kept their water-wings pumped up with optimism's air and survived. Listen to the backhanded self-punishment displayed on "L'Arte Du Math" and you will see what I mean - it is probably the only song that sits with New Order's lyrical approach. "Garageland" is another bloody fine synth-hook song that would make a great single. Here is a band with a bit of sparkle on their cornflakes and a rocket up their arse for a change. "Saddled With Something" shows a plaintive side and an ear for production that many bands would sell their bodies for - chuck some strings in and I'm hooked every time. Thing is, it works here. Yet "One Way Or Another" is a straight-up rock out that displays 'live favourite' in big neon letters - no strings attached.

The band may have alienated their British audience yet they are fondly cuddled whenever they play Europe - I witnessed sustained hero-worship in Belgium last year that Prince proportionally didn't get in London the year before. Smaller audiences - larger community.

I really rate this album - they can never reach the ridiculous heights achieved with the utterly tear-duct tickling album "From The Hip" but this is genuinely their best since. Who needs a manager anyway? Oh and special mention for the closing song "Agenda" - if they had written this for "Always Now" then I reckon Rob Gretton may have just swallowed his respected words. LTM deliver yet another cracking set.

Paul Pledger