Ocean Colour Scene - 'North Atlantic Drift' (Sanctuary) Released 07/07/03

It seems a long time ago when 'Riverboat Song' soundtracked the long hot summer of Brit-Pop. Back then OCS's wooden riffs and pseudo-mod cool actually seemed fresh and a friendship with Jools Holland was something to shout about. Thankfully for all of us times change and these days OCS seem about as relevant as one time champion Chris Evan's latest TV project. It's hard not to have a grudging respect for the Brummie dad rockers though. They survived the Britpop wars with record sales intact and can still pack them in on massive tours. More interestingly they coped with the outing of singer Simon Fowler as surely the straightest gay man ever. Bearing in mind OCS's core audience are not exactly Placebo fans this was some hurdle.

For the Ben Sherman clad masses who've stuck by them there's good news as OCS have not found a new kraut rock direction. The riffs and harmonies are still as comfortably worn as a pair of old Gazelles and only new single 'I Just Need Myself' shows any sign of exuberance, with its soaring feedback driven chorus. The rest is a stodgy mixture of endlessly recycled homespun tunesmithery. 'The Song Goes On' does just that and 'Second Hand Car' is as crap as its title. If by the end of this album you have an overwhelming urge to wash the car and get your pension in order you only have yourself to blame. That David Gray's not bad though is he?