Science & Nature - The Bluetones

"I don't want us to be big," Mark Morriss once said, which is certainly the bands blessing in disguise. Some might say they are going the right way about it but The Bluetones simply don't care, something which immediately disconnects them from the chart fodder of today. They stick to what they know best and become better each time. With the repetitious feel, yet convincing debut Album Expecting to Fly and the concept album of 1998's Return To The Last Chance Saloon, the band return to their distinctive melancholy sound. Science & Nature is a great attempt at the impressionist and 'cheerfully' modern routes the Bluetones brought with ...  Read the complete review

Perhaps if Mark Morris would only marry Patsy Kensit, or hurl abuse at the fans every now and then, The Bluetones would now be huge. Somehow Travis managed to hit the heights without being tabloid friendly, though more through luck than planning, but despite three superb albums, The Bluetones aren't there. 'Science and Nature' follows on well from its predecessors, and seems content to simply knock out some fine melodic guitar songs without fireworks. As if to underline how unfashionable they are, 'Keep the Home Fires Burning' starts with a brass band, but it's a beautifully written song. 'Autopia' is well-weird but a grower, and ...  Read the complete review

This album is definately what I would describe as a "grower". I am an ardent Bluetones fan, having seen them in a small bar in Manchetser before they released their first CD single in 1995. Since then I have purchased all their CD's and seen how their music has changed through the albums. When I first listened to Science and Nature I must admit I wasn't all that impressed. I'm not sure why, maybe it's because I'm so used to listening to all their existing songs, the new ones, being unfamiliar, didn't seem as good. But the album has definately grown on me. I have listened to it quite a lot lately and nw think ...  Read the complete review

After 'Slight Return, the Bluetones have often been considered to have 'lost it'. However, the second album was, as the first one, a good album in parts with a few stinkers thrown in. Their third album is a much more rounded attempt, with few clear songs that stand out from the rest (for better or for worse). The opener 'Zorro' is a funky opener to the LP. The second 'Great Navigators' is another potential single, with a catchy stomper of a chorus which will attract unbelievers of all ages. The next three are possibly not as easy as the previous, and you will find yourself skipping on to 'Blood Bubble'. This moody instrumental was ...  Read the complete review