The Invisible Invasion
Produced by Portishead’s Geoff Barrow and Adrian Utley, this fourth record sees the Wirrall peninsula’s premier psych-crusaders nudging their established formula into bold, interesting new places. Yes, in the familiar drum kicks and jangling effortlessness of “In the Morning” they nod to both the nostalgia of classic Merseybeat and lead songwriter James Skelly’s own early triumphs. But whether it’s the freewheeling Americana of “Leaving Today” or “Cripples Crown”—with its howling guitar lines and horror movie imagery—the abiding feeling is of a band brimming with confidence and in command of their infectious weirdness.
Things are pretty much as you would expect them to be on the Coral's fourth album as all the usual pieces are in place: vocalist James Skelly still channels the voice of Ian McCullough, the guitars of Skelly and Bill Ryder-Jones still sparkle and shine, and the band is still inventive and interesting.
The Invisible Invasion is a pleasant enough album that ultimately does nothing to distinguish itself from the efforts of countless other bands.