Housewives' choice proves to be less than superb
The Beautiful South are definitely a housewives' band, and it's easy to see why they go down well with radio stations like Virgin and Radio 2. The popularity of the Hull-based band hasn't really waned over the years, but 'Superbi' sees them exploring new melodic avenues. If you got thoroughly fed up with 'Don't Marry Her' and 'Perfect 10', this mix of country, rock and lo-fi should sometimes be refreshing even if there some moments like 'Perfect 10'. As far as the website is concerned, 'Attitude fills this album like a bath.'
The album drifts into being with 'Rose of My Cologne', a gentle but ultimately unconvincing country ballad that does a very good impersonation of background music most of the time. The only thing that stands out is singer Briana Corrigan's vocals, which carry the whole song. The same can't be said for 'Manchester', the soggy city, a song written for the regeneration of the city and also one of the best on the record. An ode to the fact that it rains all the time, with the great line 'So convertibles stay garage-bound', this zippy little alt.country number should get you dancing.
There are other great tunes too, starting with 'Meanwhile', a bittersweet song that duels male and female vocals about Paul Heaton's favourite subject of failed relationships. It seems to be a typical Beautiful South tune but with added got warmth and for once sparring vocals give Je ne sais quoi. 'Never Lost a Chicken to a Fox' is more country but it's quirky and has a certain touch of English-ness about it. It's got the humour and storytelling of country as well, and works well.
Unfortunately, 'Superbi' has its fair share of irritating and boring songs as well. The first one that springs to mind is 'Cat Loves The Mouse', where the male/female duet fails to work and in fact the band admit they 'never particularly liked the lyric'. There's just too much sweet in the bittersweet, and it's Corrigan's vocals that grate the most. 'The Next Verse' and 'Space' sound like most other Beautiful South stuff and blend into the rest of the album.
As it is, this is a mixed record and it's one that your mum might describe as nice - just too MOR to stand out, even if there are some clever lyrics.