Smother

I must say, my expectations for "Smother," Wild Beasts' third album in merely three years, was pretty high. "Two Dancers" was such a triumph for the band. They had grown up so much since "Limbo, Panto," which was such a testosterone filled wet dream (albeit a good one!). "Two Dancers" seamlessly infused the band's love of lyrically sexual themes and creative dreamscapes. I still regard their sophomore effort to be one of the best and most significant albums of the past ten years! It simply changed my musical life. However, nothing prepared me for another shot at greatness. 'Smother' rendered me, well, smothered in the best sense one can possibly mean. I'm confident in saying this is album of the year material. Sorry PJ Harvey, you'll have to make some room. '"Smother" is aptly titled. There are so many layers of rich and complex elements to this album, it's quite a challenge for one not to be overwhelmed by its sheer beauty. Hayden Thorpe's wildly popular falsetto is balanced by Tom Fleming's deep sensual croon. Each has their chance to shine, and at times they are playing off one another to dazzling effect ('Reach A Bit Further'). "Lion's Share" is a fantastic opener. A deep pulsing synth radiates as Thorpe's vocals creep in as if he's singing directly into your ear. Lion's share is an idiomatic expression meaning the lion takes all. So in natural Wild Beasts fashion, Thorpe is conquering his love, "I take you in my mouth like a lion takes his game."It's perhaps the band's first fully realized minimalist approach, and the results are striking. "Bed of Nails" is a dance song about doing anything for love like lying on a bed of nails. Masochistic, perhaps, but isn't everyone a masochist when they're in love<> There's also a sweet helping of literary references to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and Shakespeare's Hamlet. "Plaything" is deliciously dirty, sexy and sinister, quite often at the same time. "New squeeze, take off your chemise and I'll do as I please." As you can probably guess, sex still dominates the Wild Beasts frontier. However, their approach is very straightforward without it being overbearing. It's tastefully done. Instead of a complete sexual throw down ("Limbo, Panto" style), they are taking their time, allowing themselves and you to enjoy the experience. "End Come Too Soon" may be the best example of this. At around the 5:30 minute mark, there is a climax of blissful piano and fuzzy electric guitar right before it takes off and then it's all over. Within that climax, though, Thorpe repeats, rather desperately and regretfully, "it's too soon. The end went and came too soon." I thought it was too soon as well. Luckily I was more than ready to go back for seconds. If you were a fan of "Two Dancers," "Smother" is a rather nice companion. If you're just curious, trust me, it's worth a blind buy.OTHER HIGHLIGHTS (not mentioned above)"Loop the Loop""Deeper""Invisible"

I bought this at a time when I bought a lot of truly great music. ExitMusic, the Kills, Divine Fits, a whole bunch more. Only listened to it here and there. Then recently I went to my Amazon Cloud Player and just pressed shuffle of my whole selections and landed on this in the middle a workout routine. Tonight I went back to my Amazon player and am listening and liking it a whole bunch. Reminding me of what? Hercules and Love Affair. Really good. I am getting two Dancers next week.

There does not seem to be much a following for the Wild Beasts in the US, but they have been delivering some very enjoyable CD's for the last couple years. Smother is another solid release. It lacks the giddy silliness of the previous efforts, but it just feels more mature and smooth as a result.I have recommended this band to several friends and gotten very lack luster response. Honestly they take some listening to to. It took about half a dozen listens for me to realize how amazing Limbo Panto was. Two Dancers was a little bit more accessible, but that may have been because I was already sold on them. Smother comes right out of the gate with 10 solid tracks that are easier to get your ears around.We had a nice, long, uninterrupted listen over a bottle of Malbec and it was an aurally pleasing experience.

Currently my favorite band. They never released an album I didn't like. Arrived promptly and in new condition.

The 3rd album from this British band is softly sophisticated & jazzy-smooth, with a subtly encom- passing androgynous eroticism, arising from the unique voice of Hayden Thorpe. "Smother" is filled with gently soaring ballads built on careful splashes of echoing boudoir etherialism. Recalls Talk Talk, Antony & the Johnsons, Russell Mael (Sparks), Freddy Mercury (Queen), Wild Nothing, John Martyn.