Mercury Records Hard to believe but having formed back in 1986, Texas are about to celebrate 20 years in the music industry. The band recently became the first to play on London’s Tower Bridge and now offer up their seventh album. The two recent singles Getaway and Can’t Resist are fantastic slices of pop-rock, prompting hopes that the rest of the material will be on a par with the band’s rightly lauded 1997 release, White on Blonde. The tempo does slow down although catchy choruses lift the next two songs and the duet Sleep sees Paul Buchanan’s vocals contrasting well with Sharleen Spiteri’s – although the words don’t bear close examination. Lyrics beginning, “I think that you’re the one when ev e ry time you call me lady” are bound to feel more like fifth form poetry than the work of a band who have sold over 20 million records. Get Down Tonight is a far better showcase of the band’s talent – an undeniably sexy sound that must be a contender for next single.
Unfortunately, it proves to be the album’s last standout track, although of the five songs that remain, Nevermind and Just Hold On certainly aren’t just there to make up the numbers. Howev e r, you may find yourself returning to the first half of the album before you’ve finished listening to the second half.
Verdict: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A worthwhile purchase but not the band’s finest hour.
