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The Coral

Singles Collection

You must be doing something right when both Noel Gallagher and Alex Turner think you’re the bee’s knees. The Coral have spent most of this decade knocking out tunes which have rightly given them a reputation as one of the UK’s most durable, forward-thinking outfits. Their influence is widely acknowledged, even though their commercial peak passed a while ago. It seems hard to comprehend now, but The Coral’s second album, 2003’s ‘Magic And Medicine’, went straight to Number One in the UK charts.

This compilation (though not strictly a singles collection – where is ‘Skeleton Key’? And ‘Liezah’ is a lovely Simon And Garfunkel homage, but it, er, wasn’t a single) provides a welcome reminder of the band’s delicate, understated genius. The Merseybeat rocker ‘Dreaming Of You’ and the wistful, country-flavoured ‘Pass It On’ remain two of the best singles this millennium – as well as being superb tunes, they illustrate that frontman and lyricist James Skelly has a heart as big as a lion.

Elsewhere, the psychedelic put-down ‘Don’t Think You’re The First’, the fuzzed-up garage rocker ‘Goodbye’ and the stylish schizophrenia of 2001 debut single ‘Shadows Fall’ show that the group took their inspiration from many different places but have always sounded like themselves.
If you’re not already acquainted, this is the ideal starting point. If you are, then the accompanying second CD’s raft of unreleased tracks, rarities and covers adds appetising depth. Either way, this is Mersey paradise.

Alan Woodhouse

9 out of 10
 
 
 

Comments (13)

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cpbrophy 

Sep 12, 2008

a brillant album that shows off some of the best songs of the last few years songs like liezah and don't think your the first are still as brillant now as they ever were rock on lads

lipgloss 

Sep 12, 2008

Excellent review, top band! Always on the top of their game.

rick 13 

Sep 14, 2008

ive said it many times on this site, the coral are the most underrated band of all time, they truely are a great band

shessoheavy 

Sep 14, 2008

Eh "forward-thinking" that has to be a typo right,regardless of whether you like the coral or not you can't argue that there a forward thinking outfit I mean there just a pastiche of every other English band before them they have contributed nothing to the the development of new music.

rubbersoul7 

Sep 16, 2008

Being forward thinking has nothing to do with weather or not a band contributes to the development of new music. The Coral are, and always have been light years ahead of other bands you’ll see gracing the pages of the NME. It astounds me as to why utter trash such as The Wombats, Hoosiers, Kaiser Chiefs etc etc etc get so much attention when none of them have an ounce of talent. The Coral have developed their style with each album and remain a top quality live act. James Skelly’s songwriting just keeps on getting better and better, and long may it continue. The band simply don’t have a bad album, literally everything they have ever done is superb. This is a great review; Alan Woodhouse has got it spot on here. It’s nice to see them getting the appreciation they so rightly deserve. The only change I’d make to this review is the score… It’s a definite 10/10 for me. Roll on the next studio album!

dominos 

Sep 17, 2008

Yeah i'm really loving, previously not having any coral albums in my collection, but now I have an Autumn soundtrack. Still I'm also a bit annoyed at the absence of 'Skeleton Key', guess i'll have to get the debut.

qcardy 

Sep 22, 2008

top band!

david flemming 

Sep 25, 2008

the best band on the planet 10 out of 10 enough said

riverboat song 

Sep 28, 2008

one of the only few true great english bands around.

alan26uk 

Sep 30, 2008

Great band, great tunes, great live.

spaze75 

Oct 7, 2008

10/10 by one of the most underrated bands.

Shoplifter of the World 

Oct 13, 2008

The Coral are sensational. They play live with skill and expertise of a band twice their age. True genius. We should cherish them while we can or they will go the way of Grandaddy and Beta Band.

DixonHead 

Dec 8, 2008

Great album, great songs. there totally underated

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