Play 90 second soundbite of 'The Thief In The Garden' @ 'CD quality'
The Television Of Cruelty are not musical conformists - this intriguing outfit are doing something very smart and extremely entertaining. 'Lower England' is what used to be referred to as a 'concept album' - nowt wrong with that, coz I'm pretty sure that's what it is - the album is a set of songs all based on a story-telling theme of, yes you guessed it, 'Lower England'. To find out what's meant by 'Lower England' you'll just have to get hold of a copy and give it a bloody good listening to coz I'm not gonna tell you here!
'Lower England' is like a much-needed light at the end of an extremely long and dark tunnel. That tunnel being the years of relentless indie music that purports to be innovative and fresh (well, I suppose it was once!). The light is the refreshingly creative way that The Television Of Cruelty have gone about their work here - well written songs performed with relish and professionalism that come together as a somewhat enlightening vision of 'Lower England'. Now, none of these guys are the best vocalists you'll have come across but what they do is get their story across in their own inimitable way. Musically, 'Lower England' is a real mish-mash of styles - for me, that's just fine, you have to look at this work as a 'bigger picture' and look inside it with an open mind and a bit of vision. 'Lower England' is a remarkably well put together work that will not be to everyone's taste - of that I've no doubt. But, give it a chance, open up and let it in and you'll soon see the beauty that lies within the 'beast'.
The Television Of Cruelty have come up with something that's not only pleasantly different but totally enjoyable - I love every second of it - this is my kinda music, something that's not superficial, something that's well thought out, well structured and just bloody great to sit back and enjoy!! I just wish that there were more people using their creativity in this way - the music scene would be a much richer place for it! Thank God for bands like The Television Of Cruelty - they bring sanity (well sort of!) back to music and make it all worth while. 'Lower England' by The Television Of Cruelty is superbly entertaining, stunningly crafted, sensitively performed - exquisite, breathtaking and just so bloody refreshing!! (Why can't there be more of this out there?)
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