bedsitter23

In which case said crap 90s boy band member Robbie fought back. I am not necessarily a fan of his music, but he has proven time and again that he is as silver tongued as they come.

Any quarter-decent three-chord k***heads could and did get a deal in the 90s. "I won't name names cos it would be unfair on Echobelly, Shed 7, Symposium, Menswear, Sleeper, Hurricane Number 1, Ride, The Bluetones (apart from that one song), Ocean Colour Scene (apart from that one song...hang on, nah, not even that song), Northern Uproar, Chapterhouse, Curve, Salad, Adorable, Cud, Spacehog, Kula Shaker, The Audience, Powder, Kingmaker, Geneva (sub-Suede - can you imagine?). There were a few special indie bands then just as there are in every generation. And just as some pop bands are useless, some are magnificent in every generation. I feel sorry for the people who are too bigoted to appreciate the latter. The world's a lot more exciting with a One Direction in it. And more hearts will genuinely race at a new 1D album than they ever have or will at any Suede album in any time period. Sorry about the truth

So, about the music, then...

Richard Oakes is one of the most underrated people in alternative music, constantly under the shadow of Bernard Butler. I don't think Oakes is the problem here. In fact, I think Oakes (and the band) elevate the songs on this album.

The problem (in my estimation) is Anderson. Half of the album resembles Coming Up big radio style upbeat singles, while the other half sound like Dog man Star's more expansive and stripped down moments. I think the latter actually work better, but the former are probably going to be what the crowd wants.

In any case, the album sounds like 99 monkeys on 99 keyboards forced to listen to the Suede discography on repeat. Even on Headmusic, Suede always seemed to be looking forward. Here, they seem to be looking backward.

That said, I suppose it can be considered a partial return to form. The songs have their moments, and if it should all end tomorrow, it would make a much fitting swansong than Morning. It also would bode well should the gang want to keep going.

Also, Dog Man Star was 20 years ago? Damn. 

Okay, bottom line.  I think fans will generally be happy on the disc's own merits.  It just never quite reaches the heights of the best material or even the Tears album. Anderson never reaches a transcendent moment vocally or lyrically, but he gives a performance that is satisfactory.  Given his penchant for such topics, Anderson probably wishes he had something as good as 1D's "Live While We're Young" to work with.

It's good to have Suede back, though.