After two decades of silence and some three decades since they were relevant, Culture Club return with Life, but now as Boy George & Culture Club, clearly to avoid the opportunity from cashing in from the bands most bankable commodity. Culture Club are no strangers when it comes to toying with religious themes, which makes ‘God & Love’ an appropriate opener.
The result is often quite daft, but this does not stop George from chatting with God in a knowing manner for the good of society. Despite being rooted in a certain time, some songs show just what they can do when given half a chance, like ‘Let Somebody Love You’s upbeat reggae.
Occasionally, Culture Club pull out the vitriol of the scorned, ‘Resting Bitch Face’ being just the tonic for austerity, albeit replete with mellow vibes and earthy grooves. ‘Different Man’ is a precision-tooled party track and a pleasant surprise. Counter-balancing pleasantry are songs like ‘What Does Sorry Mean?’. Maybe a dictionary will help George.
The band know their way around a pretty melody but is the depth still there? The true believers will be satisfied but a renaissance is not on the cards.
6/10
