Even allowing for a rash of glowing reviews with "Under A Sun"s release (notably UNCUT and THE SUNDAY TIMES), Bristol-based Wigan emigres WITNESS never really began to climb the commercial ladder (yet anyway), so yours truly hopes fervently that they don't find themselves in ISLAND's out tray in the near future.
Because, frankly, this newly-expanded quintet (now featuring ex-STRANGELOVE guitarist/keyboard player Julian Pransky-Poole) deserve more than to be cast aside in the usual cavalier fashion. Their debut "Before The Calm" (1999) was an understated success, and whilst "Under A Sun" boasts a glossier production sheen (courtesy of former PIXIES engineer Al Clay), it doesn't sacrifice the band's inherent melodic flair.
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Admittedly, "Under A Sun" does rather run out of steam during its' closing run of songs, but the first seven numbers are largely things of wonder, running the gamut from the Stones-y slide guitar swagger of "Here's One For You" to the plaintive folk inflections of "Closing Up"; this latter something they do exceptionally well.
Although maybe lacking in the all-important charisma stakes, WITNESS are still a quality act who score via that old-fashioned "let them come to you" method. Let's hope ISLAND have the patience to run with that.
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