I'm perfectly willing to admit that it's probably a nostalgia thing. It's fond memories of my teen years when i thought listening to their music made me hip - or hipper than the stock aiken waterman/debbie gibson diet of tunes at that time. But i like the new Beautiful South album. Sure the title sounds like some sexually ambiguous superhero (Superbi). And sure its not a million miles from the stuff they were doing in 1989. But i like it :)

And it does sound like an album a late 30's dad might buy. Which is ok because with age comes wisdom, and with each song about a love long gone, a relationship past its sell by date or, conversely and rather lovely, a love that transcends all else, the sentiment feels like it comes from experience. Songs as varied as Bed of Nails (my fave) - a terribly sad declaration of love and Manchester, a song about how it's always pouring with rain there. Then there is the lyrically pinpoint When Romance Is Dead to 'sparring duet' Cat Loves The Mouse featuring a couple unable to connect.

MP3: Bed of Nails

It's part country, part folk, part pop, but all Beautiful South. if you like them already you'll will probably like this, but it's unlikely to win any new converts...