The head spins and the heart swoons. Embracing and cross-hatching Britpop and Emo finds Bleach at a time and place that transcends both above-mentioned genres to deliver a collection of songs that touches the soul and satisfies the rock scholar within us.
And of course, it is in the quieter moments where true strength is displayed as on the string-laden ballads, "Gonna Take Some Time," and "Condition" wherein the specter of Ben Folds Five and XTC lingers gorgeously.
Finding ambition and the audacity to write and record not one but two rock suites that stretch beyond the nine-minute mark without once belaboring the sheer length of either.
The paean to salvation, "Sufficient" begins with a poignant edge and shifts into overdrive introspective mode before bursting into anthemic glee and resolving with worshipful conclusion. The tender send-off that is "Farewell Old Friends" is a moving tour de force that pulls no emotional punches as Bleach lay bare its hopes and dreams for the future--pure lump in throat stuff.
In-between the vibrant energy of "Clear the Air," "To the Top," and "Good as Gold" will keep the punk pop kiddies happy with good old-fashioned melodic rock the order of the day.
With an uncanny sense of timing, Bleach has come to a good end with its swan song and whilst it's probably a pity that the band is no more, at least it ended in a blaze of glory. Simply put, one of the best albums of 2005 thus far.
4 tocks
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #114Reviewed by Dan MacIntoshFarewell Old Friends is Bleach’s recorded swansong, just before the band calls it a career and sails off into the sunset. To support this seaworthy theme, the CD booklet is illustrated by a tall sailing ship, pictured on what looks like a weathered old map. Fortunately, however, the band doesn’t sound weathered here at all. It hasn’t always been smooth sailing, but Bleach nevertheless comes off…The Phantom Tollbooth 2005Reviewed by Jonathan AvantsIt's been several months since Bleach officially called it quits, but the band promised fans they'd deliver one last record--a final goodbye, so to speak--but wouldn't tour in support of the record. Months pass, and not much seems to take place in the Bleach camp. But while all seems relatively quiet on the Bleach front, the band is actually working hard in the studio. A release date is finally…The Phantom Tollbooth 2005Reviewed by Len NashOnce again, it is a farewell and goodbye for the Bleach guys. Last time yielded a farewell tour, but one lurking question popped up at that time, "why no new content on a CD?". Well.... surprise, surprise, Bleach has a new CD! Farewell Old Friends is a heartfelt farewell to fans and friends of Bleach alike. Produced by Oran Thornton this CD feels like Bleach had a comfortable, relaxing, and fun…Similar sounding releases
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