Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Eagerly awaited by fans of the bands alternative hardcore style, Speakeasy disappoints a little only because it s in such a similar vein to their previous recordings. That said, the band do deliver quality stuff and it still sounds fresh even on this, their third album. There are plenty of standouts and my favourites include "Freefall (From Hand To Hand)" which is a slower song that powerfully describes what happens when we fail God. Elsewhere I love the cover of The Cure's classic "Fascination Street", which is an unusual choice but which works very well with the band giving it a fresh sound without losing the depth of the original. Throughout the album the band still manage to combine energy and melody to create a potent mix, with powerful guitar textures propelling this along. They've probably got away with it this time by riding the wave of a successful formula but I'm looking for something truly amazing with the next outing.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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