Voe, Sullem: All Naked Flames

The CD arrives, a debut album, complete with a manifesto proclaiming a shrill opposition to the ubiquitous mediocrity of current music. The sense of inevitability is tangible as I brace myself for what could well be the ravings of a half crazed neo Maoist clarinet-wielding loony… and he knows my address.

It is both a surprise and a relief, therefore, to find that All Naked Flames is really quite good. An Indie-Rock album skewered by hypnotic electronica and throbbing low end, it is not likely to please those whose tastes tend towards musical virtuosity at the expense of all else.

But those prepared to take a chance will find an intriguing work; atmospheric, bold and inventive. Clearly taking some inspiration from across the Irish Sea from his native Northern Ireland, Sullem Voe's work has unmistakable shades of the English melancholy Radiohead and Porcupine Tree so effectively tap.

The high watermark of the album is undoubtedly the midsection; the stridently electronic 'Into the Sun' trades sweeping vocals with a seedy electro undertow, followed by the darkly comic 'Homeland', featuring a perfectly pitched club-style vocal. A little later, the initially innocent 'Direct Lines' hypnotically descends into a throbbing bass-led jam.

It isn't entirely consistent, some of the material lacks the spark found on the best tracks, leaving behind a fragile Indie-Rock that isn't unpleasant, but doesn't turn the head either. The energy built up by the opening two tracks dissipates with the unfortunately named 'Nothing New', the attempt at a pretty closing track in 'Satyr's Lullaby' falls flat, and on one alarming occasion I wasn't sure if I was listening to the Foo Fighters.

That said this is an absorbing debut album. Although maybe not quite as clever as it thinks it is, it remains an album with something to say, and it does so in an inventive and well-produced package. It won't be to everybody's tastes, but it is a fine album.

Tracklist:

1. The Lonely Planet
2. Fresh Hell
3. Nothing New
4. How Come?
5. Into the Sun
6. Homeland
7. California
8. Rock Bottom
9. Direct Lines
10. What Else
11. 4:16
12. Satyr's Lullaby

Added: August 13th 2009
Reviewer: Richard Wheelhouse
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 1774
Language: english

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