Several recent derisory reviews have attacked TINDERSTICKS for apparently sticking in a comfortable rut as they enter their second decade. They are starting to be written off as old dogs with old tricks; unable to shock and push the envelope any further.
But then, if you know anything at all about Tindersticks, you'd also understand that they are the masters of subtle, understated evolution and you'd realise that "Waiting For The Moon" again continues with the quiet sea changes that have been shrewdly re-arranging their magic muse since the wonderfully sparse "Simple Pleasure."
For instance, the band members roles have shifted somewhat. "Waiting For The Moon" opens with violinist/ arranger Dickon Hinchliffe sweetly emoting the startling lyric: "My hands around your throat...if I kill you now, they'll never know" on the exquisite "Until The Morning Comes". It's one of two excellent lead vocals he has here, plus a further duet with usual lead singer Stuart Staples on the stately "Trying To Find A Home."
There are a couple of further fascinating developments, too. "4.48 Psychosis" continues the 'Sticks slightly queasy attempts at playing (ohmigod!) rock'n'roll a la "Fast One." It's built around Staples' mumbled narrative, with the band giving in their best, insistent Velvets thrum and is shockingly entertaining in the way American Music Club were when they attempted dumb rockers. Perhaps even better, though, is "Just A Dog", where harmonica, banjo and loping rhythms add a weirdly enchanting country feel. Lovely.
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OK, so other tunes find the 'Sticks sticking (sorry!) to what they do best. "Say Goodbye To The City" has that brooding crescendo thing they perfected with "Don't Look Down", while the title track revisits that special, vibes-fuelled minimalism they've so long made their own and "Sweet Memory" and the closing "Running Wild" ache with typically resonant string-laden majesty.
But then, why criticise something so gorgeous when not only it ain't broken, but obviously still has artistic merit galore? Tindersticks will never be a band renowned for overhauling themselves overnight and quite right too. Metallica or The White Stripes they ain't, thank the Lord, and while they continue to sound this ace, we should be all the more grateful they've persevered.
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