Description
Six By Seven – The Closer You Get – Compact Disc
The Closer You Get, the second album by British rock band Six by Seven, was released on March 16, 2000, and is widely considered one of the band’s best works. This album showcases Six by Seven’s signature style—a fusion of space rock, post-punk, and shoegaze—creating a dark, intense, and immersive soundscape. Known for its uncompromising energy and existential themes, The Closer You Get explores feelings of alienation, societal disillusionment, and introspection through raw instrumentation and evocative lyrics.
Following their 1998 debut album, The Things We Make, Six by Seven sought to push their sound further with The Closer You Get. Their unique style pulls from British indie, alternative rock, and shoegaze influences, placing them alongside other intense, introspective bands of the era. While bands like Radiohead, Mogwai, and Spiritualized explored similarly atmospheric and somber sounds, Six by Seven stood out for their heavier, more abrasive approach. With Chris Olley’s haunting vocals and the band’s heavy guitar riffs and relentless drumming, The Closer You Get dives into bleak and often confrontational territory, reflecting the social and personal anxieties of the time.
Key Tracks and Themes
‘Eat Junk Become Junk’: One of the most well-known tracks, this song encapsulates the album’s angst-filled ethos. It critiques consumer culture and the emptiness of modern life with powerful lyrics and heavy, distorted guitars. The track’s relentless pace and layered sound make it a standout in Six by Seven’s catalog.
‘Sawn Off Metallica T-Shirt’: A title that hints at the ironic and critical tone of the song, this track combines intense drumming with gritty guitar riffs. The lyrics reflect a sense of frustration and disillusionment, encapsulating the alienation of young adulthood.
‘Ten Places to Die’: Known for its introspective lyrics and atmospheric production, this song explores themes of mortality and self-reflection. The haunting melody and Chris Olley’s melancholic vocal delivery create a somber mood, contributing to the album’s overall sense of introspection.
‘New Year’: This track combines post-punk influences with a touch of shoegaze, featuring reverberating guitar effects and a repetitive, hypnotic beat. It captures a sense of melancholy that characterizes the album’s darker sound.
‘England and a Broken Radio’: One of the more reflective tracks, this song evokes a feeling of disconnection and longing. The layered instrumentation builds gradually, creating a soundscape that complements the theme of searching for meaning in a chaotic world.
The Closer You Get received widespread critical acclaim for its ambitious sound and emotional depth. Music critics praised the album for its intense and atmospheric qualities, with Pitchfork noting its “uncompromising vision” and NME commending the band for their ability to blend raw power with introspective lyrics. The album’s dark, heavy approach resonated with listeners who were drawn to its authenticity and willingness to confront difficult themes. It reached a cult status among fans of alternative rock and post-punk, cementing Six by Seven’s place in the UK’s indie rock scene of the early 2000s.
While Six by Seven didn’t achieve massive commercial success, The Closer You Get has endured as a beloved cult classic. It remains influential for its unique fusion of shoegaze and post-punk elements, which later bands would continue to explore. The album’s exploration of personal and societal disillusionment, paired with intense soundscapes, helped establish Six by Seven as a significant, if somewhat underground, force in British rock. Tracks like ‘Eat Junk Become Junk’ and ‘Ten Places to Die’ are often cited by fans as essential to the alternative rock and post-punk canon of the early 2000s, embodying the raw, unfiltered emotionality of the era.
For those seeking a dark, powerful, and thought-provoking listening experience, The Closer You Get remains a relevant and impactful album that resonates with fans of intense, introspective rock music. Its themes of disillusionment and societal critique, combined with its immersive sound, have helped this album maintain its place as a vital piece of British alternative rock history.
Made in England
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Eat Junk Become Junk
Sawn Off Metallica T-Shirt
Ten Places To Die
New Year
One Easy Ship Away
My Life Is An Accident
Don’t Wanna Stop
Slab Square
England And A Broken Radio
Another Love Song
Overnight Success
100 & Something Foxhall Road
