Suede’s first new release in 11 years has the task of wiping away bad memories of the ailing last gasp that was A New Morning and giving new vitality to a band that has always slunk around the darker edges of the Britpop scene. A recent compilation of Suede classics recently compiled by Brett Anderson showed he had a firm grasp on what were the strongest points in his band’s back catalogue, but whether the magic could be recaptured was always an uncertainty. After all, even the coming together of Anderson and original guitarist Bernard Butler hardly saw sparks fly on their sole release as The Tears.
The Coming Up version of Suede, with doe-eyed keyboardist Neil Codling and second-best guitarist Richard Oakes in tow, have opted to use that album’s commercial pop template for the bulk of Bloodsports. They then suddenly shift gear for the last four songs, which recall the darkness and grandness of Dog Man Star.
But the success of Bloodsports doesn’t come down to the recapturing of past glories by simply splicing their two strongest albums. Bloodsports unexpectedly invigorates the band by exploring more mature subject matter and does so with an improved lyrically turn from Anderson. He’s matched by music that doesn’t mess with the Suede formula, but takes us back to the glory days of the band by handing out guitar-led pop hooks left, right and centre. The result is not their best album, but possibly their most consistent, which is more than what you’d expect at this point in their career. If anything, it points the way toward a whole new phase for the band.
BY CHRIS GIRDLER
Best Track: Snowblind
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: Valhalla Dancehall BRITISH SEA POWER, Coming Up SUEDE, Here Come The Tears THE TEARS
In A Word: Punchy
