British Sea Power, Sea of Brass - album review

Download: Heavenly Waters; A Light Above Descending; Albert’s Eyes

British Sea Power, Sea of Brass

The marriage of rock music and brass band is not a notably happy union, with success usually approached via rock’s rustic partner, folk music.

So British Sea Power’s decision to revisit some of their material in the company of the Foden’s Band is certainly brave, and while the combination curdles occasionally here, there are moments of majesty which justify the gambit.

The opening instrumental “Heavenly Waters” is an intriguing blend of brass with vibes and organ; and the trumpets in “A Light Above Descending” are like celestial shafts of sunlight breaking through clouds, the guitar soaring up to meet them.

Less agreeable is the keening intensity of “Atom”, with its power chords and cacophonous horns.

The band’s maritime fascination is present throughout: “Albert’s Eyes”, warning of “the greatest oceanic truth” of global warming, features horns as burnished as a ship’s brass binnacle.