Four years ago, everyone’s favourite nerds the Young Knives were pretty much the toast of the town. We loved the fact that they looked like Jarvis Cocker split into three separate bodies, we adored their witty lyrics and, most importantly, their spiky, XTC-flavoured racket was a refreshing change from the current trends of the time. However, nearly half a decade on from their Mercury Music Prize nomination for their first album, Voices Of Animals And Men, for a variety of reasons, they haven’t exactly set the world on fire. Ornaments From The Silver Arcade is their third stab at things and the 11-track collection of tunes sees the Knives soften their sharp sound as they expand further into ‘80s outsider pop and (whisper it) funk.
While it’s not necessarily a bad album, you can’t escape the air of mediocrity of songs like ‘Woman’ and ‘Silver Tongue’. The playing is fine, but the songs just don’t move me or provoke a reaction; indeed, they sound oddly like B-sides. The ‘50s-tinged ‘Sister Frideswide’ is the undisputed standout. Arguably the best song they’ve ever written, it boasts a killer chorus and doo-wop backing vocals. So it ain’t all bad. ‘Human Again’ is another good cut and is more reminiscent of the Knives of old, but unfortunately these moments are few and far between.