Despite the repulsive cover, it actually took me about ten seconds to fall in love with this album. The acoustic rhythm of "Music Again" just seemed irresistible and the fact that it went on for almost six minutes made it even more so. The vocals are sparse and hypnotic, which is something of a pattern here. Most of these eight songs are based on a repetitive minimalist groove lifted from a 90s pop song. "Music Again", for instance, samples a forgotten 1998 single called "Love of a Lifetime" by Honeyz. A decent pop song in its own right, and a minor hit, it attains new depth and mysticism in the hands of Saint Etienne.
And I have never even been a fan of the band in the first place. I like the odd song and some of their earliest albums (though never in their entirety as the quality seems uneven), but this is the first time when it truly hit me. I find this music deeply satisfying, unconventional and absolutely hypnotic. Again, the premise is quite simple. They take a sample from the period of 1997 to 2001 (the years of optimism as they are called in the short film that accompanied the release of this album) and infuse it with style and charm. No offense to Natalie Imbruglia (you won't hear me put down "Torn"), but "Beauty on the Fire" never sounded as good as it does on "Pond House".
Unlike most albums by Saint Etienne, I've Been Trying To Tell You has no filler. "Blue Kite" that opens side two does not even feature vocals but has mesmerising ambience that just gets more and more engaging with each new listen. "I Remember It Well" is a personal favourite. Busy in its minimalism, it has a haunting melody, dream-like atmosphere and heavenly vocals from Sarah Cracknell. I should also mention the closing "Broad River" which has no right to be so engrossing - featuring as it does a seemingly uneventful groove and a sample of a fairly standard pop song by Tasmin Archer.
Again, a stylish album (despite the cover) which, in my case, has made its gradual transition from 'an interesting listen' to 'a record of the year'. A deeply nostalgic album, too, and like the best slice of nostalgia - it makes imagining beat reality.
RECOMMENDED THIS MONTH:
Saint Etienne - I've Been Trying To Tell You
Manic Street Preachers - The Ultra Vivid Lament
Lindsey Buckingham - Lindsey Buckingham
P.S. This band called Low that everyone loves so much. They are not very good.
