British Sea Power: Machineries of Joy

Was listening to the new British Sea Power album last night. Think it came out back at the start of April, although I only picked it up a few weeks ago ... and issues with transferring music to my iPod means that I've only listened to it once or twice in my room.

Actually saw BSP at Shepherd's Bush Empire back in April. Think it must have been the fourth time I've seen them, after:

• Glastonbury 2004, notable for people bringing tree branches for added 'crowd foliage' and Eamon (sadly long since departed) coming down into the crowd with his chest drum;
• supporting the Manic Street Preachers at Manchester Apollo during their Autumn 2010 tour; and
• Transmission 001 at Jodrell Bank in July 2011, notable for a dramatic improvement during the second half of the set and Ursine Ultra fighting a giant robot at the end.

It was pretty cool. They played a short acoustic-style set at the start of the gig. Support was provided by Toy, although I wasn't so keen on them. Then BSP played their headline set. Lot's of energy! Plus, Ursine Ultra had a fight with Bi-polar Bear!!

Highlights would probably include the crashing opening threesome of Remember Me, Apologies To Insect Life and K Hole. A great version of No Lucifer. Waving Flags and Machineries of Joy. And obviously, Carrion.

Going back to the album, Machineries of Joy is a great start and first single. Rather relaxing, yet extremely uplifting. It also has a really cool video!

Another early highlight is K Hole. Punky awesomeness in the vein of Stunde Null or Mongk II from Valhalla Dancehall. Definite future live highlight.

Probably need more time to digest the rest of the album properly. It definitely isn't as immediate as Valhalla Dancehall or as anthemic as Do You Like Rock Music. There are some great slices of mildly disconcerting pop music though, notably Loving Animals and What You Need The Most. And Monsters of Sunderland is pretty chaotic like some of the truly classic BSP tracks.

Full setlist from the Shepherd's Bush Empire gig, as taken from setlist.fm:

Acoustic Set

• The Land Beyond
• Come Wander With Me
• Blackout
• Salty Water
• What You Need the Most

Electric Set

• Remember Me
• Apologies To Insect Life
• K Hole
• Bear
• Spring Has Sprung
• No Lucifer
• Mongk II
• When a Warm Wind Blows Through the Grass
• Machineries of Joy
• Waving Flags
• The Great Skua
• Please Stand Up
• Radio Goddard
• St. Louis
• A Light Above Descending
• Carrion
• All In It

Encore

• Loving Animals
• Lately

Event:	British Sea Power: Machineries of Joy tour
Further details:	Support by Toy.
Venue:	Shepherd's Bush Empire, London
Date:	Wednesday, 17 April 2013