Search - Cutting Crew :: Scattering

A Good Buy for Fans

Thomas Veil | Cleveland, OH | 03/27/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Fans of Cutting Crew's debut album, "Broadcast," will want to buy this album. It does not surpass the brilliance of "Broadcast," but "The Scattering" still has much to offer fans of 80s new wave.



The Scattering begins with the energy of "Year in the Wilderness" (analogous, to "Any Colour" in that sense). The one-two punch of the title track, with its appealing Celtic sound, and "Big Noise" recall the dizzy heights of "One For the Mockingbird" and "Life in a Dangerous Time." These are, in my view, the best songs on the album, displaying the energy and passion that made Cutting Crew great. "Between A Rock and a Hard Place" - not to be confused with the Rolling Stones song of the same title - also has some nice energy as well.



"Everything But My Pride" is a more sedate track (in the "Sahara" sense, perhaps) - it reminds me a bit of something Breathe might have produced. "Reach For the Sky" features some nice vocals by Nick Van Eede. "Binkie's Return" reprises the distinct chords of "The Scattering."



On the whole "The Scattering" features a more contemplative Cutting Crew - the balance between high energy songs and more sedate ones leans toward the latter, when this album is compared to "Broadcast." The final track, "Brag" is - I believe - Cutting Crew's first song to feature a piano, accompanied by Van Eede's sorrowful vocals.



This album isn't as stunning as "Broadcast" but it still serves as a showcase of Cutting Crew's talent and vision. By all means, have a listen for yourself."