The Bats - The Law Of Things - Cassette

Returning from his Clean reunion, Scott and company reunited for The Law of Things, showing once again that the Bats will likely forever remain the Bats. As always, they retain just enough subtle touches and changes to prevent complete repetition while still staying focused on the post-punk/folky/jangly/wistful sound that defines their work from start to finish. Opening cut "The Other Side of You" demonstrates that nicely thanks to what sounds like a piano buried in the mix, though it could easily be a guitar played just so as well. With the usual Scott/Woodward vocal blend on the chorus and a sweetly giddy pace tinged a touch by melancholia, it's another lovely Bats winner. Other strong songs include the chugging "Yawn Vibes," with one of the band's most memorable musical and lyrical hooks, the slow-building edge of "Nine Days," and the surprisingly muscular pound (and Alastair Galbraith's reappearance on violin) of "Ten to One." As always, calmer cuts like "Mastery" and the declaration of love "Cliff Edge" surface amid the brisker efforts, effortlessly combining melody, wistful vibes, and the low-key heart-to-heart feeling of so much of Scott's work. Closing cut "Smoking Her Wings" is the best of them all, making for a mysterious and moody way to close out The Law of Things.

Song List
1. Other Side Of You
2. Law Of Things
3. Never Said Goodbye
4. Yawn Vibes
5. Time To Get Ready
6. Ten To One
7. Mastery
8. I Fall Away
9. Cliff Edge
10. Nine Days
11. Bedlam
12. Smoking Her Wings