Beatifics - The Way We Never Were
by Andrew Carver
published: 3 / 11 / 2002
Label:
Bus Stop
Format: CD
intro
"Guitar jangling, tambourine shaking, harmonising power pop" from the long-serving and ever popular the Beatifics
Right from the first track of 'The Way We Never Were', the raison d’etre of the Beatifics is clear: Guitar jangling, tambourine shaking, harmonising power pop. Primarily the vehicle of songwriter Chris Dorn and a notoriously revolving backing crew, the Beatifics have been turning out short, sharp and occasionally sugary songs since the mid-'90s. 'The Way ...' shows a taste for variety; there are acoustic tones on 'February,' a countrified riff on 'The Only One', and the fuzzed out 'In The Meantime.' There’s also a somewhat experimental 'Pt. 2', a brief burst of wordless vocalization, heavy beats and choppy editing. Excellent production also lets the diverse elements of each song stand out; on 'When it’s whenever', for example, the acoustic strumming, strings, percussion, bass and electric guitar can all be heard clearly behind Dorn’s sharp tenor. A winning combination good songwriting (with something of a temporal focus) and quality musicianship sweeten the pot. Fans of Arlo, Mayflies USA, Teenage Fanclub, Jason Falkner, Matthew Sweet and the Posies will find the Beatifics make welcome company for their other faves.
Track Listing:-
1 Sorry Yesterdays2 After All
3 February
4 The Only One
5 When It's Whenever
6 Different Stars
7 In the Meantime
8 Between the Lines
9 Pt. 2
10 Outro
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.Liam Gallagher and John Squire - Olympia Theatre, Dublin, 16/3/2024
Nico - Profile
Simon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
Dirty Honey - La 2 de Apolo, Barcelona 11/3/24
The Church - Interview with Steve Kilbey
Editorial - May 2024
Doug Dillard Expedition - Live At The Hotel Fremont, Las Vegas, September 1970
Byrds - Every Album, Every Song
Paloma Faith - Photoscapes 2
most viewed reviews
current edition
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for BreadDavid Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes - Dark Rainbow
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Ian Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Kula Shaker - Natural Magick
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
Erlend Apneseth Trio with Maja S.K. Ratkje - Collage
Texas and Spooner Oldham - The Muscle Shoals Sessions
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart