Saturday

Birmingham's emperors of rock'n'folk Ocean Colour Scene are back with their ninth studio album, entitled Saturday. In the two years since On The Leyline described by Uncut as their "career best" they've played with thrash metal bands in Korea, stolen the show at this year's 'V' (where they were named 'Band Of The Festival' by Radio 2 and Absolute Radio) and later this month will jet off for a debut show in Dubai. Saturday finds the band as vibrantly tuneful as they've ever been. Recorded over six weeks last Summer at Rockfield studios with producer Gavin Monaghan (Editors/ the Twang), it's a return to the barnstorming OCS of yore. From the opening bars of psych-folk opener '100 Floors Of Perception' - written by Simon about the on-going financial crisis - to epic climax 'Rockfield' (think 'Baba O'Riley' meets 'Tomorrow Never Knows'), it's a reminder than when it comes to delivering classic rock hooks there is simply no one better. Denim-driven boogie 'Old Pair Of Jeans' (written by Bennett) will delight those hankering for the full-tilt mod-pop of 'For Dancers Only', while Harry Kidnap' (written in tribute to John Weller) boasts shades of North Atlantic Drift stand-out 'Make The Deal'. Lyrical themes ranging from Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist ('Mrs Maylie') to the British way of life ( standout 'Village Life'), meanwhile, are a reminder of Simon's acute observational eye. Musically, it's just as impressive. Listen close and you'll hear echoes of everyone from Simon & Garfunkel to Mott The Hoople and Vivaldi in these loose-limbed grooves, not to mention trippy string sections, sky-scraping 'Great Gig In The Sky' backing vocals, punk riffs and even the occasional burst of mandolin. Surefire smash 'Magic Carpet Days', meanwhile (key lyric: "The world won't shake you/Knock you down and break you/I'll steer you through these magic carpet days") is a reminder that their belief in the Mod aesthetic of self-improvement remains as strong as ever. If the album's working title - Blue Sky Drinking - tells you something of Saturday's feel-good spirit, it's also proof that even as the reach the age of maturity, OCS aren't prepared to grow up just yet. With a full U.K tour booked for early next year, OCS will be celebrating in style. In the meantime, they'll see you on Saturday.