Money 'Suicide Songs' review

Image: Money

At a glance to the unbeknown music consumer, Suicide Songs signals some sort of introverted, doom-struck foray into a past journey from the band in subject.

You'd probably be correct. But only if you assumed that the misery-sodden package arrived sewn with moments of genuine brilliance. 

Since their debut album The Shadow Of Heaven, released three years ago, it is flagged that the band have suffered some personal duels.

Immediately, the tears seep from the dagger harbouring forehead of the album artwork right on through to Jamie Lee's lyrical poetry.

The alluring frontman is more Bard of Salford than an emulator of Manchester's various iconic lead figures. It's this factor that elevates the album to a compelling listen, as he emotively glides through each acoustic-brass slumber with literary excellence. 

Opener 'I Am The Lord' harks a melody you'd envisage combing the Ganges for the brightest listen of the bunch. It's soon lost mid-way as the band dive into a eight minute saunter, though the lyrics that bury the ghosts of the past are the most welcome on the record.  

Title-track 'Suicide Song' and 'Hopeless World' exhibit pristine brass sections to mask the bleakness of the subjects at hand. 'I'll Be The Night' is for the entirety spectacular as Jamie juggles between life and death with lyrics about "Empires Tumbling Down" and prayers for love against loneliness. 

It's clear from listening that Money have encountered a stalled trajectory over the past few years. Now that they've hurdled those and the end result is extravagant, Manchester's rock-noir laureates can only thrive and prosper further. 

Read: Money will tour new album in February