ALBUM REVIEW: Inspiral Carpets – Inspiral Carpets

7/10

INSPIRAL CARPETS - INSPIRAL CARPETS

Manchester’s Inspiral Carpets return with their self-titled new album and the first since Devil Hopping 20 years ago. Since then Singer Tom Hingley has left and been replaced by original vocalist and co-founder Stephen Holt. The result is an album full of 60’s garage psychedelic rock tunes.

Monochrome kicks the album off with guitar riffs and Clint Boon’s trademark swirling organ, it’s like they haven’t been away. The next 2 tracks have been previously released, Spitfire follows with a great organ solo and huge chorus into You’re So Good For Me the Inspiral’s comeback single from 2 years ago. The album picks up with the catchy A to Z of My Heart. Calling Out To You has a classic Inspiral Carpets chorus, while the organ is channelling The Doors.

The ballad Flying Like A Bird slows the pace down with its lush harmonies, gentle guitar and atmospherics. Hey Now will be great live, it has a great sing-along chorus and handclaps.  The album highlight is Our time, a fantastic upbeat track just like the Inspiral Carpets of old and pure single material. Forever Here is a bit forgettable apart from it sounding like a Charlatans track from Some Friendly. 

Let You Down initially plods along until John Cooper Clarke makes a surprise cameo appearance which perks the track up, and turns it into another album highlight. The Lengthy Human Shield brings the album to a dreamy end. It’s great to have the Inspiral Carpets back, this record is a very solid return, and sits well with their previous work. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait as long for the next one.

Xsnoize Author
Mark Millar is the founder of XS Noize and looks after the daily running of the website as well as hosting interviews for the weekly XS Noize Podcast. Mark's favourite album is Achtung Baby by U2.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*