"This
chameleon-like band slips into Brit-pop personas as adeptly as Peter
Sellers used to take on multiple roles. The tremolo-heavy, spacy opener,
"Eyes Light Up" recalls Talk Talk: "Whatever It Takes"
blends the Beatles and the Stone Roses. And see if you can guess by
the title what moussed-up synth band "To Have And To Receive"
recalls.
The
songs are strong, the melodies memorable, (particularly "Eyes
Light Up", the trancy closer "Liquid Mantra" and the
killer chorus of "Jellyfish") and the musical guises more
entertaining than annoying. Plus, the production is top-notch. Apparently
co-founders Richard Dolmat and Sean Dillon have been collaborating
since 1993, and their experience as producers (the two have entered
and won remix competitions) shows on every pristine, multilayered,
begging-for-headphones cut. The disc is so crisp and clear, in fact,
it sounds like it might have been bankrolled by Sony. It wasn't, of
course, but with so much going for NOAH NINE the next one should
be."