We are rapidly approaching a time when every single band in existence will have had a song used in an episode of The OC. Were not quite there yet but it is definitely not the moment of prestige that it might have once been. That said, it did help London trio South to find a North American audience, although theres a real good chance that the wheat would have been separated from the chaff by itself eventually. Their third album, Adventures, shouldnt come as a shock to anyone familiar with their earlier records. It isnt quite as bleak as its predecessor, With the Tides, making it more of a conventional rock album, but that isnt necessarily a bad thing. The focus, however, is still on atmospherics with layer upon layer of guitars backing the majority of the songs. While they may have cut their teeth remixing other peoples work, these days theyve moved further and further away from that origin and sound somewhere between New Order, Doves and the Stone Roses. It isnt quite as compelling as it should be, but with every subsequent record South get closer to making their classic album. Maybe next time.
(Number 3)South
Adventures in the Underground Journey to the Stars
BY Michael EdwardsPublished Jun 1, 2006