Sorry Lord Axl of Guns N' Roses-Shire but you've been outdone and in a much more classy and stylish manner [I'm afraid to say] as 'We Have Everything We Need' has been 17 years in the making for Shelleyan Orphan (Messrs Caroline Crawley and Jem Tayle). Well this is almost true, in that they haven't recorded together for 17 years; the album hasn't actually been gestating in a bucket of KFC grease like Axl's - if anything it's been gestating in something much more shiny and happy like; I dunno, the womb of a Care Bear (couldn't think of anything there sorry!).

So, in 17 years what has finally been unleashed? Well what we get is a dearth of orchestral instrumentation intertwined with obscurities like the Hurdy Gurdy (don't you love those things) all mixed in with the aid of Boris Williams (The Cure) and Charlie Jones (Goldfrapp). In fact Goldfrapp is a good starting off point for this album. It's very reminiscent of 'Felt Mountain' with it's sumptuous layers of orchestration and simplicity of acoustic guitars.

'Bodysighs' opens with birdsong, settling into a rhythm before becoming awash with the aforementioned orchestration. This is a recurring theme throughout the album with many tracks taking this tact including 'Judas', 'I May Never', and 'Bearnheart'. There are however, deviations from this routine allowing for a more diverse musical spread.

'Something Pulled Me' opens up a can of Americana, creating the sort of track I can picture folk line-dancing to (Warning: I do not condone line-dancing, do this at your own risk!). 'Evolve' adds almost tribal/Indian qualities to the sound with it's use of drums and sitar helping to create a mystical vibe. 'Bosom' brings in a more amplified side to the proceedings with rock riffs and a more driving beat, creating a more straightforward track than previously heard here.

There is definitely a drive to push sound-scapes on 'We Have Everything We Need' but unfortunately in their 17 year absence Shelleyan Orphan's sound has been replicated many times over and [by some] to better effect. So, whilst there are many promising moments to be found on this album there's just some kind of creative spark missing to push them in a new, fresh direction. After 17 years away I guess you have to walk again before you can run so I'd expect better next time around, as long as it doesn't take another 17 years!

Track-listing:
1. Bodysighs
2. How A Seed Is Sown
3. Judas
4. Something Pulled Me
5. Evolve
6. Host
7. Your Shoes
8. I'm Glad You Didn't Jump Out Of The Car That Day
9. I May Never
10. Bearnheart
11. Bosom
12. Everything We Need

Produced by: Steve Evans

Label: One Little Indian
Buy Now: Shelleyan Orphan - We Have Everything We Need

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