Sound: As usual, frontman Finn Andrews’ vocals display a dynamic range—sometimes suave, other times aching, and occasionally building into a possessed frenzy. The music covers even more territory. From classic Brit pop to atmospheric, guitar/piano rock; from explosive aggression to delicate introspection; from throwback, doo-wop flavor to modern, arena-sized cacophony.
Heavy Rotation tracks: “Killed by the Boom”; “Sit Down by the Fire”
Medium Rotation tracks: “Three Sisters”; “The Letter”; “The House She Lived In”
Recommended: The Veils previous two albums tackled a variety of styles but still felt cohesive—particularly Nux Vomica (my #20 Album of 2007). Sun Gangs is more disjointed, never sticking with any one vibe for long enough to get comfortable. But most of the tracks on their own work pretty well. No, there’s nothing as perfect as “The Tide That Left and Never Came Back” (my #4 song of 2004). And the overall quality of the songs is slightly down from past releases. But fans of Suede and Morrissey and/or Coldplay and Doves should find at least a handful of satisfying moments on here.
Grade: B

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