The Beat Surrender

Three years ago Grand National released the brilliant Kicking The National Habit album and it’s been a regular on my stereo ever since. The beauty of it was the way it combined the cooler elements of 1980’s synth pop (New Order etc) with more than a passing nod to The Police (and still sounded good despite this!)

For some unknown reason and despite the critical acclaim it received at the time on it’s release, the band never really went on to enjoy the commercial success you would have expected.

This was highlighted when I went to see them play at Josephs Well in Leeds, a venue that can be like a graveyard at the best of times for bands, but especially when you don’t have any local pull. Despite the fact that there was probably at best around sixty people there the duo of Rupert Lyddon and Lawrence ‘La’ Rudd still put on a great performance and played with the enthusiasm of artists who’ve just sold out a theatre for the first time.

Three years on though they are back with a brand new album, A Drink & A Quick Decision. Following up brilliant debut’s is never an easy task and from the couple of listens I’ve given it, I don’t think they’ve entirely pulled it off, it’s still a good album, it just lacks a bit of sparkle in places.

Tongue and Pieces still completely pass me by when I listen to the album a second time round, the only other criticism is that at times it does come over a little one paced despite the many subtle differences in sound that you’ll find on here.

You get glistening pop in the shape of Reason To Hide In, a more melodic track with a slight calypso feel to it on Going To Switch The Lights On and real beauty in Joker & Clown.

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