Album Reviews

Album Review: British Sea Power – Valhalla Dancehall (Rough Trade)

By | Published on Friday 10 December 2010

British Sea Power

In Scandinavian mythology, Valhalla was a huge, majestic hall of the slain. The Norse god Odin chose half of those slaughtered in battle to travel to Valhalla led by valkyries. Quite what this has to do with anything here is anyone’s guess. On their fourth album (not including their soundtrack LP ‘Man Of Aran’), BSP are as playful and quirky as ever.

The opening track ‘Who’s In Control’ certainly has a heroic Viking swagger, with powerful guitar riffs, eerie screams and even some aggressive swearing, which I don’t think has featured in any BSP songs up till now. ‘We Are Sound’, ‘Georgie Ray’ and ‘Luna’ are archetypal BSP songs; well crafted, with great guitars and a sense of melancholic nostalgia, while simultaneously evoking a yearning for what the future may hold.

The most immediate and obvious track is upcoming single ‘Living Is So Easy’ which is very poppy and features some very jaunty toy organ sounds. On ‘Mongk II’ the band have gone for something a bit different using some ominous keyboard sounds which wouldn’t be out of place on a Flock Of Seagulls record.

In summary raise a glass of mead and celebrate the triumphant return of one of our most interesting and ambitious bands. JW

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