AT THE SOUND OF THE BELL

Well, this is just too sad for words. All passion spent, everything that made the Pavlovs' debut album such a success evaporated into thin air. I don't know who got the idea of turning this extraordinary band into a second-rate pop group, but that's precisely what happened. Most of the tracks are too annoying to even write about, but I'll make an exception for the opening and closing tracks, which are pleasant in a non-extraordinary way, and for tracks three and four: both of them ballads which need a brief explication...

Both "Standing here with you" and "Mersey" feature lead vocalist David Surkamp at his most maudlin. I suppose most adult listeners will call this stuff ridiculous, but I've lived with it for decades and must admit I find it oddly affecting - especially "Mersey", which features subtle guitar arpeggios and unforgettable lyrics ("Well I dreamed that I was Bogart / and you were my Bacall / and everything was shattered / by curtain call"). These tunes will be of special interest to Bill Bruford freaks, since no other than the great William was behind the drum kit - and you can immediately tell!

Just don't consider spending a fortune on this largely forgettable album.