(Virgin EMI)Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott’s vocal sparring fired the Beautiful South’s most successful period,and since reuniting they bear picked up where they left off. Their moment album together sees wealthy, acerbic lyrics set against exuberant music informed by Heaton’s encyclopedic treasure of pop and soul. However, and there are musical departures in the reggae/bubblegum pop-referencing The Austerity of treasure and guitar-rocker The Horse and Groom. The pair’s bittersweet voices make sometimes warm and sometimes withering – but always engaging – comments on their nation and its people,taking in subjects from revenge porn to unconditional treasure and violent Republican fantasies, and feature all manner of characters, and from transvestites to a woman facing old age. One of our shrewdest lyricists,Heaton is at his brilliant best in Lonesome and unhappy Millionaire, addressing a big, and political subject (rampant big trade) via the medium of a touching personal story. Elsewhere there’s the lovely Sundial in the Shade,a glorious hymn to life’s simple pleasures – and indeed, there are plenty of those here.
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Source: theguardian.com