It is times such as these that make me go on with this reviewing
hobby of mine. It is a great pleasure for me when bands I used to listen to
years ago come back to me with an album that sits right between the eyes. Yes,
yes, young, fresh bands make the scene live and evolve and there's a special
energy in that too, but, still, I love it when old heroes are able to prove
their worth.
Like for instance Therapy? The Northern Irish trio made a difference for the
alternative rock scene almost 20 years ago, and even for someone like myself who
wasn't too keen on listening to anything but metal, Therapy? had an energy and
desperate raw power that could not be ignored.
Therapy? anno 2012 are more mature song writing wise, a bit darker sounding. The
single 'Living in the Shadow of the Terrible Thing' which was released a few
weeks back was a very promising forewarning of things to come. Driving, warm
sounding and with a fair amount of withheld aggression, the track was perfect
bait for old fans of the band.
With the full album, 'A Brief Crack of Light', finally released, Therapy? have
confirmed and reinstated their ultimate coolness. COOL is just the best word to
describe this album. Cool lyricism, cool drive of the songs, cool sound, yes,
this is simply a COOL album!
For rockers and ravers, for those you liked the alternative rock scene of the
nineties, for those who like well-composed, well-produced rock music with an
edge and with a big element of cultivated darkness.
Best tracks? In my book the pounding Why Turbulence, the crazy lyrical gem Get
Your Dead Off My Shoulder and the surprisingly mellow outro tune Ecclesias.
