I know nothing about British Sea Power. Insert English cult act label here. I have always been half aware of their existence but have never knowingly heard a note of their music, until now with their fine new single
Waving Flags.
It can only be tagged as muscular pop music, riding a throbbing, tuneful wave of elegant shiny keyboards with big punchy drums tapping out a forceful rhythm beneath. The production reminds me of The Beach Boys, it sounds BIG yet sweet at the same time. Frontman Yan's vocals ruin the moment after the intro has been and gone as you're back in meat and potato indie land in a disappointing Doves fashion.
Not his fault, you can only use what you're born with. The band are off-kilter enough to get away with it.
The tune makes up for it, a stirring anthemic waltz that would even sound good good on AM Virgin amid Robbie and Snow Patrol. Speeds up towards the end with a nifty early Catherine Wheel type guitar solo.
As good as music can get in ruddy January.
Altogether now: "We're all waving flags!"
