I have to admit I was sceptical when I heard that the next Swordsmen album was based around live instruments and vocals - being a massive fan of Keith & Andrew's previous work it begged the question 'if it ain't broke - why fix it?'. Thinking about it, 'Tiny Reminders' wasn't an immediate album, it took a long time for its genius to sink in, and maybe if anyone can pull off a radical change in direction, it's TLS.

From The Double Gone Chapel's raw unpolished sound couldn't be more different from TLS's squeaky-clean electro. Andy's brooding vocals blend seamlessly with grating strings and heavy booming bass guitar suggestive of Keith's electro bass production. The whole album has a slow, methodical feel - more retrospective than forward thinking perhaps, and there are echoes of western soundtracks as well as 80's indulgence.

'Faux' is the obvious choice for the first single. With programmed drums and bass it's not too far from electro but the vocals give it an indie sensibility. It introduces TLS's concept for the album without being too controversial.

Although there are some strong compositions, and synths, sampler and drum machines all play a part, the limited palate of sounds gives the first half of the album a certain monotony.

Luckily things pick up towards the end - the instrumental cut from 'Sick When We Kiss' would rock the stubbornest of dancefloors. A strong vocal from Andy and some precisely engineered string stabs really give an edge to the clean beats and trademark Radioactive Man bass sounds. There's a nice contrast between the programmed and synthesised, and the earthy, organic and distorted in this track.

The album finishes on a high with 'Driving With My Gears In Reverse', a powerful guitar-lead instrumental track that's full of surprises - a testament to the Swordsmen's musicianship.

The jury is still out on whether this is a masterpiece or a fad. If you got into 'Tiny Reminders' curiosity will no doubt lead you to check out 'The Double Gone Chapel', and if you didn't - all the more reason to give it a listen - it might well be just your cup of tea!

By Suzie.

www.twoloneswordsmen.com