This is the seventh full length album by No-Man, and their first since Schoolyard Ghosts some 11 years previous. It also sees a return of the dance/groove style of their early records. I prefer the up tempo grooves to the more laid back solemn, melancholic vibes of Schoolyard Ghosts. Tim has an interesting almost breathy style to his vocals, but somehow stays the same no matter what tempo the song is.
Basically this album is two songs split into five segments each – even though there are no gaps. Side 1, Love You To Bits, starts off like a 70’s Giorgio Moroder/Donna Summer style disco groove, and then grows into a nearly BPM dance track albeit with a real drummer, Ash Soan. Then we get a typical Tim slowed down vocal section, that emphasizes Tim’s original style into the dance groove from earlier on in the piece.
The premise of this record is about a relationship that breaks up, and being told from both sides. So Side 2, Love You To Pieces, is from the other perspective. It starts off with the familiar slow Tim vocal, and into the familiar groove from Side 1. This side is a lot more experimental and electronic with the beats and grooves, and with a great Fender Rhodes solo from Adam Holzman in the middle section.
Not out of place in any night club. I really like this a lot and as a welcome return to form.
8.5/10 from The Grooveman.
