- Label: 'Strange Films & Music'
- Genre: 'Rock'
- Release Date: '29th April 2019'
Our Rating:
Del Amitri aren’t one of those bands you’re likely to think of often, although for about 2 decades they ticked along and shifted million of units in the process. But occasional reunion shows aside, where are they now? Well, having completed a first degree and MA in music, guitarist Iain Harvie has been working with film maker, songwriter, and singer, Tim May under the Aliens moniker for the last 3 years, accompanied by Helen Turner (Paul Weller / Style Council) on keyboards, Leroy Lender (The Bible) on bass, and drummer Martyn Baker (Shriekback).
The album’s flavour – pitched as a ‘potent mix of alt rock, pop hooks and politically engaged commentary’ – is very much of radio-friendly MOR AOR persuasion. To which ‘Lockdown’ adds a light funk tinge and a dash of soul. But it’s pleasingly unblind for the most part, with some strong choruses, and ‘Won’t Let Go’ bearing comparison with The Psychedelic Furs. ‘Pursuit of Love’ strips it back and goes minor key while taking a turn for the Bowie and pulls it off admirably. Elsewhere, ‘Song 5’ offers brooding ambient atmospherics and an experimental, progressive approach.
For an album I’d wholly expected to dismiss as bland and tedious, the quality of songwriting and breadth of style on ‘Terradome’ is undeniable, and its consistency is admirable.
