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British Sea Power are a four piece Rock band from Brighton. They have been compared to many bands from The Cure to Joy Division, they have a sound that goes from guitar Pop to epic anthems. A lot of attention has been focused on their third album with little new material being released this early in the year; this is their time to shine.

My initial feeling was they had sounded more like Arcade Fire than Arcade Fire do, this was based on the first single released Waving Flags; from the harmonies to the delivery of the vocals it belongs on Neon Bible. All the way through you can see elements of the Canadian rockers but there is something a little bit different; maybe it something supplied by Brighton's shingle beaches.

They can go from haunting with a air of foot tapping to something quite different. A Trip Out put me in mind of Blondie, strange I know (but maybe they borrowed Mum's records). I mention that at times I felt like tapping my foot, others times I wanted to scream; this was because I felt this album was simmering and never quite reached boiling point. It just needs a little push so that it can rise above many of its type and not get swallowed up in the sea of forgotten music.

Atom comes as a bit of a surprise, its like that they have been on the E numbers, they are awake. Its a short burst that awakens my interest and had me sitting back up to pay full attention. Stadium Rock would be the best description; almost like blending Kings Of Leon with Arcade Fire so it swings from epic to energetic and leaves you wanting more.

The album ends with 3 tracks are far more subtle and based on the melody, The Thrills would be very happy to be associated with them and this pleased me greatly. So it's a mixed bag that doesn't give any real clues to who will buy it or where they are aiming to take their music. One fact Rock in the traditional sense it isn't.

Rating 6/10 - I like Rock music, so where is it?

Reviewed by Darren