Mothboxer - Twelve

 

One of the bands that have defined I Don't Hear A Single are Mothboxer. When I talk to people about IDHAS, which is getting rarer these days due to the monster that it has become for me personally, Mothboxer are mention. Now we have, as the title suggests, the 12th album in a career that has defined by quality.

Dave Ody's materiał has never lacked depth, but Twelve feels even deeper. There is the same melody led feel, massive choruses that underline the melody and catchiness of Mothboxer's Pop Rock credentials, but at times the songs venture further into territory that Ody has only trod one foot in previously.

Changes can be noted on repeated listens. The Keyboard cupboard has been opened, but the content is tastefully used. These are not the plinking plonking 80s version of the instrument, but more the 60s and 70s versions.

Ody has always described his music as Progressive Power Pop and Maybe It's Just Me is certainly wonderful Power Pop, but after earlier days when the Power Pop was more upfront, I've thought him more Progressive Pop Rock. 

The addition of extra keyboards may seem strange to avid listeners, bearing in mind the quality of his Guitar playing. But there is plenty of Guitar here and the keyboards are vital to the directions that he takes here. They also don't detract from the songs in any way.

The directions taken include Neo Prog, Classic Rock of the 70s, but there are also big parts that feel 60s. There is also Space Rock in which, he seems at his best. But fear not, the Psych Pop and late Beatle-esque Guitar Pop that has always been a strength are still around in spades.

There is the funkiness of the verse on Give It A Try that breaks into a Sunshine Pop chorus. Crazy Anyway gets all Pink Floyd and None The Wiser is pure Brit Pop mixed with 60s Beat. Dumber By The Day even gets a little Stealers Wheel and When The Lights Go Out is great 70s Pop Rock mixed with a Prog feel.

Then there is the 13 minute closer that is How Does It Feel? A song that encapsulates everything that Mothboxer are about. Raiding multi genres, through heavy and light and yet never losing touch with the harmony and melody in its magnificence. Mothboxer's best album yet? Possibly but that might denigrate the previous 11.

You can listen to and buy the album here. You can buy the CD here.

................