And how is it? Very muchthe same, actually. Which is both a blessing and a curse. If you likethe Fanclub, you'll probably like this set as much as any recent one.However, if you miss "A Catholic Education," you'll still be missingit. These are straightforward, middled tempo, well-produced power popsongs dealing with relationships. There is no real "rocking out," andthe sonic palette is pretty much the same on every track. It's notamazing. It's not original. It's classic Teenage Fanclub, and it'spretty good. But that's about it. The album opens strong with "I NeedDirection" and "I Can't Find My Way Home," but then you realize it'sall going to be like this and it settles into mediocrity. The albumtitle doesn't help. Nor does a song title like "Dumb Dumb Dumb." Again,though, the writing talents of Norman Blake, Gerard Love, and RaymondMcGinley are in full display. It's to be expected. The song remains thesame, and the tradition remains, as member Paul Quinn reportedly leftin the midst of recording "Howdy!" They've had a long run, and they'renot ready to cash it in yet. But like Del Amitri, the glory fades andfades with each release.samples:
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