Bella Union
Art of Fighting may not be breaking newmusical ground but they do know a good melody when they hear one. Theopening track "Along the Run" is a beautiful little song, itsshimmering guitars are very much in tribute to Johnny Marr and OllieBrown's vocals cut through the song clearly and powerfully. Songs like"Break for Me" and "Sing Song" are great examples of a band playing toeach other and adding only what is necessary to the piece. "WhereTrouble Lived" in particular is stunning, Peggy Frew's vocals suitingthe music perfectly to make a song that Low are probably kickingthemselves for not writing it first. If the album could keep this paceI'd be ranting and raving about it but Art of Fighting have an oddhabit of sticking some very weak tracks in between some very nicesongs. The first half of the album is a hodgepodge of good and bad."Your Easy Part" completely destroys the mood that "Along the Run"creates. "Two Rivers" is at first awkward, it fumbles along until allof a sudden it erupts into a thick wall of guitars and Brown's singingsoars. At this point the band seems to have found their feet and therest of the album is solid. Second Storey is a charming album but you have to be prepared for the couple of sore thumbs that mar the first few tracks. - John Kealy
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