Columbia Mills, A Safe Distance To Watch - album review
Columbia Mills have been creating a bit of a stir in their native Ireland, gaining favourable press and comparisons with the likes of their countrymen U2 and dark specialists Depeche Mode and Joy Division for their brand of moody, electric gloom.
To call it just that would be harsh – they can slip an uplifting chorus or rif in there to give life hope. But for the most part, the depths of the soul are where they feel most comfortable.
Thwonking bass, crying guitars and synths that seem able to move from depression to delight in a quick flick of the finger make up the mainstay of this music.
But while the start and conclusion of this album are emotively gripping, the whole middle section gets lost in a kind of soul-searching, meandering bland-scape.
Remember when hit US TV drama Lost just, well, lost the plot? Fanatics went from craving nuggets of mystery and plotlines to just wishing the writers would rekindle their lust for exceptional storytelling or end it? It’s like that. Except rather than the limp finale Lost gave us, this record does save up a lovely lashing of whipped up dessert to savour.
U2 shine through unmistakably in the deep basslines in early tracks Battles and This City Doesn’t Feel Like Home To Me.
The former was picked up for a WWE documentary on Finn Balor thanks to its stirring musical interludes. And that, along with the UK release for this record sees Columbia Mills trying to conquer shores outside of the Emerald Isle.
When the band is at this passive-aggressive best the music is as all-inclusive as they want it to be. The closing segment of TCDFLHTM is magnificent. Talk about finding your way out of the cave using only a shaft of sunlight to guide you. The increasing feeling of hope as you near the entrance is replicated in this kinetic rush of guitar and keys.
And closing with Top Of The Hill and then We Decide is a tick in the box. The wavering swirl of sound in the latter would make Nick Cave proud. It’s monstrously devious and opens into a beautifully dancing outro.
It’s just a shame the middle filling of this record ruins the sandwich somewhat. It could have been a debut masterpiece.
Rating: 6/10
Columbia Mills headline Birmingham’s Sunflower Lounge on Wednesday, April 25
