With the Tides - Blender

Review

With the Tides

(Kinetic)
Release Date: 09/23/2003 12:00

South’s 2000 debut — recorded for British trip-hop label Mo’Wax — was shambolic, eclectic and reminiscent of the Beta Band. But the London trio clearly has its eyes on the prize: The commercial appeal of shambolic eclecticism has waned, so South have stored away the clattering breakbeats and DJ interludes, and wheeled out sensitive, stadium-filling guitar rock. The music even comes complete with such Coldplay-approved influences as Echo & the Bunnymen and U2. South won’t win any prizes for originality, but their songwriting — tender on “Nine Lives,” crashing and strident on “Colours in Waves” — is endearing enough to mask the stink of opportunistic career change.

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