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Music Review
Knock'd on the Head - William Lawes: Music for Viols - Concordia
Amazon.com
This compilation of singles and B-sides from 1992 to 1997 from the impassioned Suede (add the "London" for the Yanks, please) reveals the evolution of a band whose legacy will outlast the hectic number of British darlings who grace the cover of New Musical Express. Bandleader Brett Anderson's accomplished vocals, ranging from his patented soulful falsetto to folksinger sincerity, virtually defines the band, but the song-craft is truly accomplished. Suede pull off the especially difficult trick of paying homage to the magnificent British pop sound of the '60s without copping it wholesale. The guitars snarl without sneering, subtly spacy guitar effects echo Pink Floyd's early space-rock days, and convenient genre-bound labels crumble; Sci-Fi Lullabies is an excellent summary for fans who have charted their career, and an immersive experience that will turn the uninitiated listener into an addict craving more. --Alan E. Rapp