Eccentric genius
A little arithmetic, Alfie are to jaunty, feelgood indie as black is to the night sky; that is pretty much the essential companion. With their fourth album they're hoping to retain the success they've had in the past with their very unique and experimental sound.
First single 'Your Own Religion' has a very 60s vocal sound to it, with twinkling keyboards and a squealing, country guitar sound making for a quirky, offbeat listen - I have a feeling I'll be wanting to use those words a lot in this review.
I'm refreshed by the smoother feel of 'Look At You Now', the previously light hearted guitars suddenly spilling out an anxious minor tune beneath Lee Gorton's tense, reflective vocals. Overdrive punctuates the well-produced angst and this becomes one of the definite stand-out tunes. Title track 'Crying At Teatime' has gone so far back to the 60s Beach Boys influence that sweeping melodic "ooohs" rush past and there's even a tinge of something that sounds very much like a theremin! It's a breezy tune underpinned by a solid guitar part, something that makes it a little more substantial than 'Your Own Religion' in my eyes.
'Til The End' is a pensive number with a build up of chanted vocals and soaring guitars completing a perfect, and not quite dark, but perhaps grey composition. While the album seems to progress by alternating one psychedelic, or at least lighter sounding number followed by a more serious one; I can't help but prefer the latter, such as this track, but Alfie are extremely competent at both.
The smart and powerful chord changes in 'All Too Heavy Now' are a little reminiscent of classic REM; the ethereal chorus dances along beautifully before the deliciously weighted guitars give it some rock credibility and depth.
'Applecart' is one of the more experimental and fundamentally upbeat tunes that could become sickeningly sweet but the jarring notes and flurry of strings cement it to the ground, although not before it begins to sound a little like something from the Mary Poppins soundtrack. Let's take the lyrics for example, "I'm like the sun when it's teaming down/out of sight but always around"- a little hard to stomach for anyone not used to Alfie's cute, eccentric tunes. 'Colours' is equally cute and - true to its name- psychedelic.
'Where Did Our Loving Go?' comes across as potential single material with its dreamy, wistful chorus and slow, chiming guitars but it's a little too light and airy to be a catchy chart contender. Alfie are still aptly producing quirky and endearing tunes, with a few real creative gems hidden in this intelligent album.