South

Adventures in the Underground Journey to the Stars

(Young American)

Record Review by Amber Henson

A few weeks ago, I was talking with a friend who was unhappy about the seemingly lost art of sound effects on albums.  After listening to the first track of Adventures in the Underground Journey to the Stars, I can report that the art has been found.  Sound effects are nicely blended into the album throughout, beginning with city sounds—someone walking into a subway—and continuing with a party, some rain, and some laughter.  The device works well and helps the CD stand out.

South have stuck with the sound that got them popular.  Although this album isn’t quite as exciting as their last, it’s a great effort for a band that has gotten kicked around recently.  Their original label (Kinetic) folded, and then they had to leave their studio.  Young American Records picked them up, though, and South found a new studio and produced this enjoyable album.

Much like their first CD, Adventures is derived from 80s and 90s British rock formulas.  Track six, an awesome song called “A Place in Displacement,” could almost be U2, with vocalist Joel Cadbury sounding like a mix between Bono and Liam Gallagher.  Track three is reminiscent of Suede; track four of Doves.

“Up Close and Personal” is a great example of classic Brit-pop, and contains one of my new favorite lyrics of all time:  “If my head blows up, you might want to leave.”  To sum up, though, you don’t want to “leave” this CD on the shelves.