SPLIT SECONDS

Phil Miller's contributions to their prior bands pretty much continues their very Jazz style. I find overall the compositions to be somewhat forgettable, it's all something you've heard done before better, by lead man himself even. In addition to the quality not being what one would expect from H&N, it has a definite 80s feel. From the synth marimbas to the percussion to the shallow world beats this isn't just a rehash of the 70s. Mostly instrumental, a few of the tracks have some Northettes supplying their airy vocals to the background and on Dada soul Richard Sinclair sings. The female bits are done well but I find Dada Soul to be one of the worst usages of Richard Sinclair's voice. The song is like his trademark style corrupted by to become meh compared to songs like Books (Theo Travis Earth To Ether or Fitter Stoke). I think that song alongside the opener, Cutting Both Ways sum up the album for me. On one hand you have a track where I think fads of the day where used poorly to make a poor song (Dada Soul while on the other hand you have an uninhibited song that to me comes off as by the numbers (Cutting Both Ways).

Overall this is a fine album that is summed up well by good but not essential and I think folks who enjoy Jazz will have more to appreciate them myself in regards to Phil Miller's work.