South – You Are Here
The Facts, Stats and Line-up
US Release Date:29th April 2008.
Released by: Bluhammock/ Young American
Written by: South
Produced by: Brett Shaw
South:
Jamie McDonald: Vocals, All Instruments
Joel Cadbury: All Instruments
Brett Shaw: All Instruments
Additional Personnel:
None
The background
South have been lingering around the UK music scene for a number of years, having been spotted way back in the late nineties. You may recognize their music from other facets. Their song “Paint the Silence” appeared on The O.C, and several more South tunes can be heard popping up in various Television and Cinema pieces.
For a band once tipped to be the hottest act at the turn of the millennium, South’s career has stuttered through various releases. The bands undeniable versatility has arguably helped and hindered their career thus far - they are known for spanning the genres and flirting mercilessly with many styles and influences. Previous EP’s and albums have focused around elements of Pop, Electro and Indie, which makes it incredibly hard to pinpoint South on the musical map. Whether this is a positive or a negative is down to your own perception.
South’s fifth full-length album You Are Here is the first to be produced internally, as Brett Shaw took over all duties from Dave Eringa. Can this be the record that breaks America? Or will it be the next in a line of frustrating albums for the London-based band?
The Track Listing
1. Wasted 3:03
2. Opened Up 4:02
3. Better Things 3:34
4. The Pain 2:36
5. Tell Me 2:45
6. She’s Half Crazy 3:56
7. There Goes Your Life 2:53
8. The Creeping 2:09
9. Lonely Highs 3:16
10. Soul Receivers 3:36
11. Every Light Has Blown 4:23
12. Balloons 0:32
13. Zither Song 8:34
Running Time: 45:20
The music
You Are Here begins in melodramatic fashion with the gripping Rock ballad “Wasted” - a song which flows from sweet to sour with ease and precision. Its hook is the tense verse section which flows into a surprisingly cheery chorus, creating a good opener. The second track “Opened Up” takes advantage of some tactile acoustic rhythms whilst supplementing them with an electronic edge. What this creates is a ballad similar in style to the opener, succeeding in its ability to take the listener through several ups and downs.
“Better Things” is the records first example of South’s Pop-Indie side, a pleasant ditty that is certainly Single worthy. “The Pain” demonstrates yet another shift in styles as the band explores their reggae influences. “Tell Me” gives You are Here an upwards shift in momentum combining Pop and Electro to create a funky danceable number, whilst sneaking in a cheeky nod to Bowie’s hit ‘Changes’ (You gotta love a Bowie reference). “She’s Half Crazy” is an artful exploration into the funkier side of South. If you can imagine Bootsy Collins, Ian Brown and Keith Richards locked in a room somewhere with a few instruments and a large amount of illegal ‘apparatus’ then this song may well occur (after the inevitable fight of course).
Songs like “Lonely Highs” and “Soul Receivers” can shock and delight with their surprising combination of hard rock with softer, Flamenco-style moments. “Every Light Has Blown” is for me, the albums only real blemish - taking a Snow Patrol approach to proceedings. Some may love it, but I find that style of song tedious and whiny. The album closes with “Zither song” which despite featuring a large gap in the middle, takes the listener through the motions moving in between styles in a way which sums up the record perfectly. Considering this is Brett Shaw’s first piece of solo production you have to give him props for an excellently controlled album, which somehow rolls South’s diverse styles together to create a unique and impressive record.
Best Tracks: She’s Half Crazy, Lonely Highs
Worst Tracks: Every Light Has Blown
