British Sea Power play Lee’s Palace on March 24. See listing. Rating: NNN
Things get off to a rollicking start on the fourth album by Brighton’s British Sea Power. Who’s In Control? hooks listeners by combining screams with the wish that it were sexy to protest on a Saturday night. It’s indicative of the band’s tougher side, represented a little less frequently here than their artier, softer leanings.
Always considered a smart band, BSP continue on a clever path lyrically and musically. The scathing Luna turns going to the disco into an activity for only the most loathsome rich people. Elsewhere, they use German military terminology and make arch comments about people’s conversational skills.
The biggest flaw: the band attempts to cram too many ideas into a song (Cleaning Out The Rooms), particularly in the album’s second half.
Top track: Who’s In Control?
