Public Service Broadcasting - The Race for Space
Like eating jam roly-poly without the custard.
Public Service Broadcasting return with their sophomore album, turning to the Cold War Years of the 1950's and 60's, and the 'my-rocket-is-bigger-than-yours' rivalry which precipitated President Kennedy's boast that America would land a man on the moon. PSB's first outing 'Inform – Educate – Entertain' matched archive film material to a propulsive sonic tapestry. Although regarded by some as curiosity rather than ground-breaking musical landscape others, like BBC Radio 6, loved it and placed it in their end-of-year Top Ten Albums. Either way, it was arguably the accompanying visuals at live shows that cemented the arrival of the corduroy rockers. The Race for Space starts with ethereal voices heralding the optimism of Kennedy's promise, before launching into a PPK-inspired tribute to Russia's Sputnik satellite. Ronson-esque trumpets lead a funky soul tribute to 'Gagarin' before 'Fire in the Cockpit' remembers the three American astronauts who perished in a fire aboard Apollo 1. Other landmark moments are then paraded to complete the cycle, although the 'one-small-step' cliches of the actual moon landing are cleverly avoided. No doubt the forthcoming tour will indulge us with more glorious historic footage but if, in the meantime, the music does not challenge and hold attention it becomes like eating jam roly-poly without the custard.
5/10
