The Crimea - Secrets Of The Witching Hour

Like modern day Dick Turpin figures, The Crimea staunchly deprive record company executives from their hand-fisted dollar by releasing their second album as a free download throughout May. If they continue to have these hard working folk tearing their hair out in disgust as they go it alone. And should this experiment fail, they’ll be filling Betty Turpin’s hotpot-laced shoes quicker than you can say ‘dandy highwayman’.

With a constant feel of futuristic intentions piercing the fold, it’s disappointing when the opening tracks are more befitting of a pastiche CD, as ‘All Conquering’ falls short of actualising the potential, and offers Ian McCulloch flighty touches before the Grandaddy-lite and deft instrumental of ‘The 48a Waiting Steps’.

By the point ‘Don’t Close Your Eyes On Me’ approaches, ‘Secrets Of The Witching Hour’ starts to become hypnotic and soothing as the wall of perception is broken down. Surprisingly, ‘Bombay Sapphire Coma’ isn’t a Big Brother style veiled slur, and the track benefits from a steady undercurrent and growing choral burst.

Holding an intro straight out of Crash Test Dummies’ finest ‘Mmmmm’ drawer, ‘Loop A Loop’ progresses in to scaling piano and a more upbeat accompaniment which offers with it the best track on the collection, challenged only by ‘Light Brigade’, providing more of the same.

With many of the songs it’s the picking up of the subtle lyrical delights which provide as much enjoyment as the track overall; while flitting between lacklustre and soothing, The Crimea will stand to gain from allowing the songs to be heard by those who previously may have ignored it. Yet, fear not children, a CD copy which you can part with actual hard-earned money for is available from June.