Music Banter - The Coral- The Invisible Invasion- My Review

The Coral- The Invisible Invasion

Members

James Skelly (guitar/vocals)
Ian Skelly (drums)
Nick Power (organ / vocals)
Bill Ryder-Jones (guitar / trumpet)
Lee Southall (guitar / vocals)
Paul Duffy (bass / sax)
John Duffy (Percussion)

Other Information

Released- 2005

Number of Disks- 2 (With Free Limited Edition Live Bonus Disk)

Run Time- 39.46 minutes

Genre- Indie

Previous Albums- The Coral (2002), Magic and Medicine (2003), Nightfreak and the Sons of Beaker (2004)

Review

The were formed 1996 in a small town in the Wirral called Hoylake which James describes as "One of those villages where everyone knows everyone, but no one really knows anyone". At the time they were young teenagers experimenting with instruments. Then suprising the country with their fresh talent and style, their self-titled debut album was released in 2002. Psychedelic riffs and ingenious lyrics combined to produce such classics as 'Shadows Fall', 'Wildfire', 'Dreaming of You' and 'Calenders and Clocks'. It was nominated for various awards and paved the way for their increasing success. In 2003 they came back but this time with a more melodic sounding record, Magic and Medicine. They produced short sweet songs such as 'Liezah' and 'Eskimo Lament' but tossed in a few guitar based songs like 'Bill McCai' and 'Confessions of A.D.D.D.' They could not have pulled it off better but the question was where next? The answer was the 2004's mini-album, 'Nightfreak and the Sons of Becker', which was released less than a year after 'Magic and Medicine'. Less than 30 mins long this was a mini-album but it ended up being short blast of crazy riffs and thrills. It by no means up to the standards of the previous albums but it produced some worthwhile songs such as 'Song of the Corn', 'Precious Eyes' and 'Grey Harpoon'.

Now we come to 2005 and The Coral's 4th album in the space of 4 years. The release of Nightfreak fairly low key so they needed the public to notice them once again. In 2004, The Zutons, a band from the same record label- Deltasonic, stole all the glory with their debut album Who Killed the Zutons?. The first single The Coral release is 'In the Morning' which reaches 6th in the charts, which sounds similar to 'Pass it On' from Magic and Medicine. Then on the 23rd May, 'The Invisible Invasion', is released. Reviews immediately pour in and they are very varied ranging from 5/5 in The Times to 2/5 in Q. Some of the reviews being quite unjust and not really explaining why they are giving the album a low rating fully and instead heralding inferior indie bands like The Killers and Razorlight. It combines all their previous sounds into one album and brings back some of their unique style they produced for their debut. Each song is a different story. Stories about haunted houses, the past, sadness and man men in the desert! The lyrics are also very noteworthy, they are some of the best they have produced so far; they intrigue you and often have different meanings like the obvious pun 'She sings the mourning in the quiet night'. The instruments sound as good as ever and are at their best in songs like 'Arabian Sand' and 'Far From the Crowd'. James' vocals still sound as crisp as they were 3 years ago, if not better. All in all this is one impressive album no matter what the rest the media think of it. Not since the debut album have they produced such fluid material, I highly recommend it especially if you already own a Coral album or even The Zutons.

Score- 9.25/10

Songs Rated

1. She Sings the Mourning- 8.5/10

Solid opener but not amongst the best on the album.

2. Cripples Crown- 9/10

Very catchy tune, riff and chorus. The lyrics are enchanting, it sounds like a ghost story, 'Open the door if you dare'.

3. So Long Ago- 9/10

Short snappy song reminiscing about the past. It sounds like a happy song but the lyrics may suggest otherwise.

4. The Operator- 8/10

Short song about some kind of deranged operation. The psychedelic riffs are back and never been better!

5. A Warning to be Curious- 10/10

One of the best on the album. Great tune and fits in with the album very well.

6. In the Morning- 9/10

Very catchy tune and was obliviously going to be the hit single despite not being one of the best songs on the album.

7. Something Inside of Me- 10/10

Great song my 2nd favourite on the album. Uplifting chorus and overall great feeling to the song.

8. Come Home- 9/10

Nice song with a good instrumental outro which feeds well into 'Far From the Crowd'. Actually the longest on the album as well at 4:14 mins.

9. Far From the Crowd- 10/10

My favourite song on the album. It is mesmerising, great riff and tune. The vocals and lyrics sound strangely mournful and sorrowful, 'Life is not for the dead'.

10. Leaving Today- 10/10

Yet another good song! 'This old empty house of sorrows, they're only sorrows', more lyrics which are quaint and reminiscent.

11. Arabian Sand- 8.5/10

Not a song which will be appealing to everyone but it is a psychedelic blast with some interesting lyrics, 'Can you dance with the lepers in the mad man's house?'. It may remind The Coral fans of 'Skeleton Key' from the first album but probably not as crazy.

12. Late Afternoon- 10/10

Nice quiet finisher which you should adore! Wraps up the album perfectly not with a bang which they could have done with 'Arabian Sand' but a charming, peaceful piece of music.

Overall Score- 9.25/10