In
2011, Suede topped my list of 'worst comeback bands seen live', for a dreadful
performance on a dreary Sunday in Suffolk. In football terms, Suede is the
Arsenal of the Premier League. Blur and Oasis usually fight it out, with Pulp
usually ending up third, but to some, finish on top. Now that might sound
confusing to you, but trust me... It works, Suede are a top four britpop band.
And with Oasis thankfully dead and buried and Blur still wondering whether or
not to release an album, Suede are the first to jump and will deliver their
sixth album in March.
'Barriers'
isn't a single, but has all the characteristics of a britpop single. Though
britpop is dead, British rock music still lives on and Suede will aim to force
their way back into people’s minds when their album drops in March. It's not
often a comeback is successful, with many, many, many examples of failed
comebacks readily available for you to mock on YouTube. However 'Barriers'
doesn't fit into this category, because it's actually pretty good... Brett
Anderson is back.
Lead guitarist Richard Oakes is back on form with the guitar work on
'Barriers'. He once split minds as he delivered the gritty riff on 1996s
'Beautiful Ones'. Anderson has a tiny bit of delay applied to his voice on the
verse and reverb for the chorus. The drumming is a focus for this track, and
has been for much of Suede's career. I've often found myself spending hours
listening to Suede just for the drumming. Again, 1996s 'Filmstar' had an
achingly beautiful percussion. Suede are not the same cute British rock / pop
band that they were in the 90s. Time has changed and with this new track it
seems Suede have adapted to suit modern times and modern music. The
synthesizers are minimal but present. The effects are all in place and the
production is typical Suede. Their sixth album (yes they only have five albums,
I know!) is due for release in March.
~Eddie