Search - Morcheeba :: Blood Like Lemonade (Dig)

A Most Welcome Return by Skye Edwards Brings Morcheeba Back

Ed Uyeshima | San Francisco, CA USA | 07/14/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ever since I first heard their damnably catchy single, Rome Wasn't Built in a Day from 2000's pop-infected Fragments of Freedom, Morcheeba has cast a spell on me with their Brit-hop grooves blending seamlessly into a pure pop sensibility. Much of their appeal as a band came from Skye Edwards' warm and effortlessly soulful vocals, which hew closer to Sade in style but remain comparatively lighter in tone and approach. She comes back seamlessly after a seven-year absence to rejoin the Godfrey brothers - DJ Paul and multi-instrumentalist Ross - for this sonorous 2010 recording. The result is pure, old-school Morcheeba but with an even gentler sway that may not appeal as much to younger trip-heavy listeners.



The opening track, "Crimson", introduces an appropriately moody look at what must be a car crash with Skye letting out her delusional mantra of "Hell bound hopeless for you" like a primal scream. Both the hypnotic "Even Though" and the title track with its loping rhythm reflect a breeziness that belies the somewhat morbid lyrics. The same deceptive airiness informs "Recipe for Disaster" with a baiting opening inquiry, "Wanna know why there's a dead guy in my living room?" Still, the band doesn't forget the hooks that put them on the world pop map, although nothing quite sparkles like "Rome". For instance, on "Easier Said than Done", an insistent slow-dance beat glides over what is basically a paean to emotional resilience, while "Self Made Man" recalls the thickly layered atmosphere of "The Sea" infused by an insistent hook.



My favorite track is "I Am the Spring", a sweet ode that nicely partners Skye' effervescent singing with Ross Godfrey's fluid fretwork. Two instrumental tracks showcase the Godfrey brothers' penchant for sampling in different genres - a shuffling piece of blues called "Mandala" and "Cut to the Chase", which is basically funk filler with a heavy bass line from Bradley Burgess. The disc officially closes with "Beat the Drum", a marginal dirge which serves as an anthem to a dragon-infested ocean voyage just as the sailors are about to disembark for civilization. Lastly, there is an iTunes bonus track, the bouncy "Straight Ahead", which sounds retro-cool with its California-bound 1960s-style beat and repetitive chorus. The line of consistency throughout the album remains in the calm, sometime infectious grooves; the musical craftsmanship of the Godfreys; and in particular, Edwards in a most welcome return to form."

Skye's the limit: a mellow return to the classic Morcheeba s

Archer Books | Hemel Hempstead, UK | 07/13/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"
Skye is back with the Godfreys after several years of separation. The result is "Blood like Lemonade:" accomplished, enjoyable, full of essential Morcheeba character; chilled-out music for any occasion, ideal for the early hours or a lazy summer afternoon.



BLL lacks the experimental curiosities which characterised the excellent "Dive Deep" with its eclectic mix of vocalists. However, this new album is a more even, unified listening experience and a further reminder of just how well Skye's soulful melodic voice compliments the Godfreys' quirky creative compositions to produce the quintessential Morcheeba sound. Two tracks are instrumental, the remaining eight carry Skye's vocals.



The songs may not grab you instantly like those on "Big Calm" or "Dive Deep." However, they do rapidly grow on you. If you're already a Morcheeba fan, you'll probably like this collection. The tracks flow effortlessly though the album which contains few surprises but is good nonetheless, and returns to the core of what this great Brit-pop trio does best.



It seems blood is not only thicker than water, but thicker than lemonade too.

"