RABBIT

3.5 stars. THE TEA CLUB's second album is another powerful and modern sounding record that the young crowd will love i'm sure. My biggest obstacle are the vocals which while good are of a style that i'm not too into. Still, like the debut I did enjoy listening to this recording this past week.

"Simon Magus" starts off great and I especially like the way it builds. Vocals follow then it settles with piano and reserved vocals 4 minutes in. "Diamonized" is fairly laid back with vocals but there is this powerful undercurrent. "The Night I Killed Steve Shelley" again puts the focus on the vocals and powerful soundscape. There's a haunting calm before 2 minutes but not for long. Kicking ass 6 1/2 minutes in. "Royal Oil Can" is mellow with vocals and picked guitar.

"Out Of The Oceans" has a cool sounding rhythm and check out the emotional vocals 6 1/2 minutes in. "He Is Like A Spider" is excellent and probably my favourite. "Nuclear Density Guage" is relaxed but it does pick up and the tempo and mood will continue to change. "Tumbleweeds" is vocal and acoustic guitar led throughout. "Astro" has guitar and a fuller sound before 1 1/2 minutes but the ebbs and flows will continue.

Like the debut this is close to 4 stars but I can't pull the trigger. This one seems more serious and I could picture these guys opening for MUSE and fitting right in.