This new album comes from the band at a time when everyone was talking about them seeing out their contract.  To the contrary they seem to be talking at great length about the future direction of their music giving fans hope that there's plenty more to come!

'Paul Heaton may not share the celebrity cachet of a certain other ex-Housemartin, but his political pub troubadours have, nevertheless, shifted a staggering seven million records. 

And not being a Heat magazine favourite is hardly an issue: indeed, two songs in, the Hull grump declares 'trendsetter, go-getter, just a few things that I ain't'. 

Gaze is familiar territory for The Beautiful South: self-depreciation, social bile and taxi-friendly harmonies are all present and correct, set to bring joy to the already converted. And deep down, you know the old misery's secretly smiling, too.

©2003 BTEM Media