Search - Beautiful South :: Choke

Wonderfully innovative, warped lyrics set to melodic genius

10/25/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Borrowed the album off a friend. I thought one or two tunes hit the spot but with successive playings the whole album took on a mesmerising effect. I've since played the grooves off and bought all their other CDs on speculation. The lyrics are mischievious, funny, delinquent and at times surreal. I've been spreading the good word about the CD and now most visitors to my place know who they're going to hear a lot of. By the way after several weeks I finally returned the CD and bought my own. Probably my favourite CD of the last four years. My recommendation is try it, persevere with it and buy it. You'll like it! 'Quench' also approaches this CD for quality but falls slightly short in lyrical deviousness."

Quirky with attitude

John Lilley | Duffy, ACT Australia | 01/28/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This British group's bright and clear pop sound complements their sharp and acidic lyrics surprisingly well. The best example is the disturbingly upbeat and cheery backing to 'Should've Kept My Eyes Shut' which gives a grim glimpse of domestic violence.The album opens with the sweeping sound in 'Tonight I Fancy Myself', which refers to, among other things, lost legs and a "partly severed head". 'A Little Time', the beautifully simple single with an intriguing film clip, should become a classic tale of lover versus lover. Dave Hemingway and Briana Corrigan make it more of a duel than a duet.Again, sounding like we're about to hear a happy Madness or Style Council-esque tune, Hemingway sings of "ugly babies" and admits to failure in 'Book'.This contrast is used almost throughout and works well right to the final track, 'I Hate You Tonight (But You're Interesting)'.Housemartins Paul Heaton and Hemingway launched The Beautiful South in 1989 and this is the outfit's second album. Second albums are notoriously disappointing. Not this one."