If this album were released in 1982, the music press would still be lifting Mother And The Addicts up as examples of the creative genius that came from the post punk era in England. As it is 2007, this Scottish quintet runs the risk of being shoved aside as a mere revisionist act. More's the pity as the Addicts pull off a mélange of Orange Juice swagger with the heady strum and drang of groups like The Fall with a convincing authority that likeminded groups like !!! and Franz Ferdinand would beg for a mainline into.
Led by the sharp lyrical vision and subtly wavering vocals of Sam Smith (aka Mother), the Addicts use their second album as platform to show off their adeptness at moving from the glittery pop of "So Tough" to the lively attack of "What Were The Reasons." The band really finds their feet when they are adding a splash of dance floor flair to their sound, as on the standout tracks "Are Others" and "Watch The Lines." Those two also provide the band's secret weapon, keyboardist Tim Dyer, a pair of chances to really show his knack for crafting an unshakeable melody.
It's an unstoppably brilliant album, and one that will definitely get its due in 20 years' time as an example of a grossly underappreciated band from the early years of the new millennium. Here's your chance then to get in on the ground floor and secure yourself bragging rights for years to come.