Victoriana coming of age
Admittedly, I do prefer 1987`s 'Helleborine' - as the last reviewer quite rightly said, it`s over-the-top and the classical composition displays so much attention to detail it borders on obsession - but for beauty and sheer escapism hardly anything else comes close. Having said that, 'Century Flower' is a delight to listen to. The sweeping Victorian musical vistas of 'Helleborine' get a kick - there`s a psychedelic Floyd/Strawberry Alarm Clock edge to tracks like 'Timeblind' and 'Self', although the overall effect is entirely their own creation. Highlights are the pastoral country-house loveliness of the title track, the explosive, breathy 'Shatter', the gloriously twisted prettiness of 'Timeblind' and the pounding 'The Silent Day'. A band unlike any other.