The Strange Death Of Liberal England - Angelou Single Review

Rating: 4 out of 5

Read our single review of Angelou by The Strange Death Of Liberal England released through Fantastic Plastic.

So often compared to a certain Montreal-based troupe they may have been in the past; one would suspect all of that is about to change for The Strange Death Of Liberal England.

If last summer's impressive mini-album 'Forward March!' announced the band's statement of intent, then 'Angelou', their first release since, clearly marks the point where the TSDOLE have stepped up a gear and, to their credit, forged their own identity in the process.

Adam Woolway's vocals are becoming more distinctive with every subsequent release, here sounding like a modern-day Kirk Brandon reciting bible quotations over an insistent clamour of sound engineered by his fellow musical accomplices. Add to that Dave Allen's fiery production techniques and you've got a near-perfect combination to turn the most miniscule of arrangements into goliath proportions. Not that The Strange Death Of Liberal England could ever be called miniscule - twee maybe at times for sure - except this monstrous epic should dispel any doubts about their future intentions, and if anything, ensure their recognition as serious contenders for mainstream success is assured.

8/10
Dom Gourlay