Through trials and tribulations it seems that Feeder have emerged all the better for it with their ninth studio album All Bright Electric. Andy Price reports…
COOKING VINYL
The Newport-based duo have enjoyed a somewhat erratic career since their UK chart heyday in 2001, with the high-octane Just A Day and the anthemic Buck Rogers. They never truly recaptured the same vitality that they’d once demonstrated – their fourth album, Comfort In Sound (2002) and Pushing The Senses (2005) were generally quite languid affairs.
The backstory is that it’s been a tough ride for singer/songwriter Grant Nicholas and bassist Taka Hirose, following the tragedy of drummer Jon Lee’s suicide in 2002, an extended hiatus and critical disinterest in their more recent offerings. Happily their ninth studio album, All Bright Electric, reflects a revitalised approach.
The record’s numerous highpoints include the raucous opener, Universe Of Life, and the gorgeous, bass-heavy Eskimo. However, the album’s closer, Another Day On Earth, which features some beautiful piano work and emotive melodies, might just be the best thing on the record. So it gives us great pleasure to report that All Bright Electric is their most solid listen since 2001’s Echo Park. Welcome back, boys.
