Jaunty Songs of Self-Loathing

9 Oct 1998
Written by Ludovic Hunter-Tilney

Courtesy of B. Gross

Alcoholism, suicide and self-loathing are not likely themes for feel-good pop music. This, however, is the cocktail mixed by The Beautiful South on their fifth album, Quench; and rarely have such unpalatable topics been given so cheerful a treatment. The tone is set by the opening track, "How Long's A Tear Take To Dry?". Built on an insidiously appealing guitar line and bolstered by trumpets, organ and drums, this jaunty duet chugs along the subject of amorous despair. "The flowers smell sweeter the closer you are to the grave" is not a line designed to inspire harmonious thoughts; but when set to a chorus of lilting catchiness, the listener cannot help but hum along.

"Dumb" finds singer Paul Heaton castigating himself for romantic shortcomings over swooning 1950s harmonies; the threat of rack and ruin promised by "The Slide" is oiled by its en-trancing semi-gospel arrangement. "The Lure of the Sea", a less satisfying song, nonetheless has a central melody that washes into its morbid topic of drowning.

The album is becalmed towards its end, when the gentle attractions of the earlier songs give way to unassuming tunes that struggle to hold the attention. "Pockets" conjures up unwelcome thoughts of Sting at his most tedious; and "I May Be Ugly" is a directionless and messy affair. But the final track at least is a rousing reminder of what The Beautiful South are capable of at their best. "Your Father And I" teases out the country and western influences that are otherwise implicit in the downbeat choice of subjects. This booze-sodden tale of self-deception once again charms the listener into willing submission.