It’s a game of two halves, being in a band these days. In the first, you’re at your creative peak; in the second, long past your best, you re-form because there are bills to be paid and you couldn’t possibly do a proper job. In the second half, we don’t expect a band to score any spectacular new goals, just to hold onto the lead they established earlier. All credit to Ian McCulloch and Will Sergeant, then, for trying something a bit different on The Fountain, although longtime fans may not be that enamoured of the decision to bring in the former Busted producer John McLaughlin. Still, it works. The Fountain has a sharper, smarter, more radio-friendly sound than we expect. At least, the first half does — songs such as I Think I Need It Too and Do You Know Who I Am? might bring in a new audience; but the album’s second half rapidly loses its way.

Ocean Rain Records OCEAN001CD

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