The Inspiral Carpets are an alternative rock band from Oldham in Greater Manchester, England formed by Graham Lambert and Stephen Holt in 1983. Their sound is based around psychedelic organs and guitars and based on this 2014, brand new release, nothing much has changed for them in the past 31 years!

They made their name as part of the whole ‘Madchester’ scene, with a string of classic singles and between 1989 and 1995, the band notched up 15 hits and four Top 20 albums. In 2003, they re-formed and have been playing live ever since. In fact, a nice cherry on the cake is that in 2011, they reunited with original singer Stephen Holt. He had quit the band (after appearing on just 2 singles and 2 EPs) just before they made it big, citing that he wanted to earn money and not mess around in a band going nowhere!

The album, which closely follows on the heels of their previously-only-on-cassette, Dung 4 CD, begins with some distorted guitar feedback before launching into the 60's retro-sounding 'Monochrome.' A guitar-jangled effort, it's just the perfect way to re-introduce the band back into the favors of their devoted fan base. That's backed by the equally pacey, and aptly titled, 'Spitfire,' which in turn is followed by the thunderous organ pounding of 'You're So Good For Me.'

The uber tuneful bounce pop of 'A to Z Of My Heart' is quite easily the most infectious track on this brand new release. It just encapsulates everything that is good about the band, and updates it, amazingly! 'Calling Out To You' is backed by the sedate, and Housemartinsesque 'Flying Like A Bird,' which in turn is followed by another great stand out track on the album, the aptly-named, 'Changes.'

The frenetic 'Hey Now' is backed by the drum beat, fist-pumping 'Our Time,' before the whole album is, sadly, brought to a conclusion with the Oasisesque 'Forever Here,' the out-of-the-box, left of center 'Let You Down' (featuring an amazing, and unique cameo by special guest and legendary punk poet John Cooper Clarke), and then finally, the delightful, lush even, 'Human Shield.'

www.inspiralcarpets.com

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