IN THE NURSERY
Anatomy of a Poet
(Third Mind Records)

ITN's ninth album isn't the fully-fledged leap into the dance domain suggested by the 'Hallucinations?' single. Instead, it incorporates dance rhythms skillfully with their traditional sound, without losing any of their original identity. Nowhere is this more ably demonstrated than on the opener, 'Bombed', which sets soaring strings and plaintive oboe to languid beats and an urgent snare drum, and the more forceful bass manoeuvres of 'In Perpetuum'. Other highlights include the wonderfully sinister dub of 'Paper Desert' which evokes a deep feeling of misgiving. The album is punctuated by Colin Wilson's readings of Poetry by the likes of Wilde and Yeats. Wilson's clipped tones compliment ITN's music perfectly, and his rendition of James Ellroy Flecker's 'The Golden Journey' backed by sombre strings and rippling piano is suitably affecting. Most curious of all is a cover of Scott Walker's 'The Seventh Seal'. played perfectly straight with Karl Blake doing a more than passable impersonation of the great man, which reveals an astute sense of humour! Overall 'Anatomy Of A Poet' is ITN's most rounded and accessible release to date, and should finally reach the wider audience they so richly deserve.

NG