The Coral

There's something about this inventive British band's mix of psychedelic bravado, mod soul and swirling yet gruff melodies that just works. The music's a fascinating mix of tempo changes, a bit of calliope and rock steady -- all delivered with a Britpop panache that falls somewhere between Beefheart and the Bunnymen.

The Coral are six young geezers from suburban Liverpool who have captured the eager
hearts of Britain's musical cognoscenti. Their selling point is an eclecticism that evades
Oasis-style overkill with compact songs that hop all over the place -- horn fills and Nuggets
riffs, triangle and accordion, playful echo and stereo effects, varied harmonies that
distract from the absence of a distinctive lead voice, rhythm shifts (natch), and a... More >

Nice Liverpool lads--very enthusiastic, bit confused ("Waiting for the Heartaches," "Skeleton Key") (Grade - *)