The ever growing interest in our local Wexford band in America has made me feel inclined that I must review this album, to see what the fuss is all about. Bell X1’s previous albums have been a staple in showing the world that we are more than capable of delivering quality music which is easy on the ear and yet ferocious to a certain degree. This album, however, is nothing like that. Disappointment ensues….

The album starts off reasonably fast paced, the intro song ‘The Ribs of a Broken Umbrella’ is a decent synth-filled dance-along, but unfortunately lead singer Paul Noonans voice seems drowned in the flurry of activity surrounding him, making it sound almost as if the synth effects are over-the-top. ‘How your Heart is Wired’ is a complete contrast, heavily dependant on the drum, bass, and the lead vocals. A much better attempt. The sliding bass adds a sense of lazy activity on the song, but the blissful transitions really add to the beauty in this song. ‘The Great Defector’ has had a lot of airplay since its release, and is totally deserved. Pauls vocals take a page from David Byrne, the synth-bass is simple, yet perfectly exectute, and while lyrically, isnt exceptional, the chorus bounces elegantly along with the guitar, some great work from the Irish lads.

Unfortunately, thats where they should have stopped. The rest of the album is a shambles sub-par Doves attempt at mainstream recognition. Which they’ll get, because in this day and age, it’ll get you far. ‘Blows in’ is a dull, drawn out, piano-led load of drivel. The vocals are good, but thats about it. Everything has been done before here. ‘Amelia’ attempts to raise the bar a bit again with a great bass led tune, but everything else again, sounds like its done before. No suprises, just samey music from start to end. ‘A Better Band’ is certainly a good name to the song, they could have been, but again, it sounds like they’re just trying to get the album full.

The rest of the album follows along the same path. If the first 3/4 songs were released as an LP, I would praise it to high heavens. But as an album as a whole, its underperformed, underacheived and certainly disappoints me in nearly every department.

4/10