Alabama 3 possess a fearsome live reputation but they have never achieved the same level of acclaim for their records. M.O.R is not about to radically change this state of affairs.
The group love unlikely genre combinations, to the point that they will introduce one mid-track, giving their records an episodic and sometimes disjointed quality. Clearly this is what they want – but the attractions of the aesthetic escape me. ‘The Klan’, for instance, is a likeably drone-y, country-tinged ballad for the most part, until the band decide to shoehorn in a thoroughly superfluous rap from MC Pablo. The intro to ‘Are You A Souljah?’ is reflective and genuinely gorgeous: some light acoustic guitar, a militaristic drumbeat, and the strangely beautiful sound of bombs exploding in the distance. Before, that is, it develops into a less than inspiring electro-soul workout.
Closer ‘Sweet Joy’ is a rousing, enjoyable country-rock ballad, but it becomes overcrowded by the sudden arrival of guest collaborators The Proclaimers.
When they rein in this tendency to over-elaborate, the results are in a different league. ‘Doghouse Flower Blues’ is brief and to the point: free of any daft genre hop, we are treated to a gruesome, morbid, and undeniably (perversely) pretty acoustic ballad, which never loses its cool.
‘Way Beyond The Blues’, a moody, affecting take on a familiar Alabama 3 formula – gospel-tinged soul with burbling electronics – is similarly, superbly impressive.
But, these sonic pearls aside, M.O.R is consistently inconsistent. Take a listen though, and fret not: it'll all come together in a live setting.