DOGGED BY DOGMA

It's like the Canterbury Scene version of 80s Jethro Tull.

Listening To My Neighbours Singing is a good opener as it shows the core of this album, new wave with a somewhat strong Hatfield And The North tinting and somewhat lengthy bridges.

Sexist Conversation is similar to the previous track but it has a neat little instrumental in it where the upbeat song gets real calm which gives it some nice contrast. Then it kicks into some shouting and back to the song.

Social Workers is also like the previous track although it has more focus on the vocals which is a negative in my eyes as the chorus is one of the albums weaker ones.

Hollow Cost this one starts with a distorted organ (?) and deeper singing mixed lower in the track alongside random background chatter. It then heads into a tune more alike the others of the album. The organ riff returns for a second and the track head into a nice instrumental workout led by keyboard then just ends.

Make Sure Your Garage Is Large Enough opens with e piano which is replaced by synths for a second then e piano returns alongside female scatting. Soon the scatting becomes actual singing and it's quite pretty, goes well with the instruments. The synth returns again for a second and the scatting returns then is replaced by a jam with the synth on lead. Honestly the warble (?) synth shouldn't have been used, should have just used the epiano or guitar.

Stabbing Cats this one right away opens with a stilted rhythm and Charlie Summers talk singing over it. There's a synth solo for a bridge, the song returns and boom, it's done.

CS's this one starts calmly with flute (might be flageolet) then the track begins and all is well until the refrain for me. Too silly for me, the vocals on this one are somewhat ugly and the lyrics are pretty lame. "Custard Slices theeere not the same, Custard Slices theeere not the same!" This one ends with a cool Tom part.

Look Mum No Hands is the longest song at about six minutes. Part one opens with bell like synth then heads into a bass lead instrumental section. After a stop which makes this not feel like one song, part two begins with an atmosphere recalling the first parts opening. Then boom keyboard led section (this might be the beginning of part three). After a nicely done dual keyboards workout the song ends on some calming epiano.

A Large Lounge And Yawn is horrible, not even two minutes long but wow. half of it is just treated vocals shouting no. The second half is organ over quirky percussion. Not a good closer in my eyes.

Overall this is a fine release, I think fans of 80s music could really enjoy the album. Canterbury Sound Score 4/5

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