The Jeff Hostetler of Blogs

Saint Etienne - "Side Streets"

I don't know if I've ever expressed as much before, but I kind of like this band. Saint Etienne singles are always class and this one is their best since 2000's "How We Used To Live". There was a period when they struggled with these stripped down throwback pop shorts. However, this record says less about the band's musical progression and more about why Sarah Cracknell is such an effective (and affective) singer. If there's one thing that nobody ever talks about, it's pronunciation, and here, her's is absolutely immaculate. I think I could listen to an entire album of Sarah articulating nothing but s's and t's and be completely thrilled with it. It's also fair to say that as long as she stays within her vocal range, nobody emotes as effortlessly as her, as every smile, every wink, every sideward glance shines through with her voice. I really cannot believe how much I underrated this one.
- posted by Shane @ 10:23 PM
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