The Duke Spirit - Neptune

Is it enough progress after a four year hiatus? Alas, no!

Album Review by Wilbur Kane | 06 Mar 2008
Album title: Neptune
Artist: The Duke Spirit
Label: You Are Here
Packing much of the same post-punk energy as their 2003 debut, Cuts Across the Land, added subtlety in The Duke Spirit's latest comes courtesy of a collaboration with Queens of the Stone Age producer, Chris Goss. There's lots going on in this more mature sound, but is it enough progress after a four year hiatus? Alas, no! Tracks one through six compete to be the background fluff on a teen TV show, with the smarmy ballad Dog Roses just shading that one. It's difficult to find a point in the vocals of front-lady Liela Moss, though This Ship Was Built to Last has to be the track Goss has most fun on and is the album's highlight. Forget the frequent, nonsensical Cult comparisons; this listens more like a collection of Feeder (were your ears painted on? - Ed) and Lush B-sides. For finer examples of this sort of pop rock refer to either The Concretes or Sons and Daughters. [Wilbur Kane]
Out Now http://www.dukespirit.com