When the Scientists toured the US not too long ago without a new record since 1987’s Human Jukebox, it was universally agreed that they exceeded all expectations and new music would be a welcome thing. So now their highly anticipated new recording after 35 years is out. Without going into how great they were with their past achievements - they’ve had some line-up changes and grown musically - how does this record stack up today?
Starting out with an infectious twangy hook that is both a little hillbilly and a little heavy we get off to a fuzzy start. And that is good as the guitar weaves some lilting phrases over the fuzztone bass and bucking drums while singer Kim Salmon delivers an ear candy chorus of “I’m an outsider”. It’s great stuff but don’t think they’ve gone pop as the next song is a punk stomper that goes avant-garde for the finale. Things take a big turn at the third cut. Naysayer is dark and sinister with shifty time signatures and menacing vocals. Three songs in and the band have pulled many tricks out of their musical hat and all of them connect.
As the record progresses the musicians give performances that grow more and more impressive. Tony Thewlis doesn’t play “songs” on guitar but instead uses his guitar as an accompaniment instrument adding flourishes and parts that accentuate the mood the vocals will build upon while letting bass player Boris Sujdovic take a leading part in where the actual song is going. But the band’s secret weapon to my ears is Leanne Cowie. She is a very loose drummer but somehow keeps the anarchic tempo changes and odd time signatures all in line for Thewlis and Sujdovic to do their thing. Her playing on this record is fantastic.
This In The Red vinyl release comes in a gatefold with a download card. Would this record appeal the average record buyer of today looking for something different and cool? I think so. The band certainly gives the listener plenty of great music taking a little of this and a little of that from a large musical vocabulary, so what’s not to like? Fans will welcome them back enthusiastically and first time listeners will embrace this as the great new release it truly is.