Saint Etienne

Review: Second time around for Saint Etienne's 2012 album "Words and Music by Saint Etienne", a typically breezy, summery and ear-pleasing affair in which Bob Stanley, Pete Wiggs and Sarah Cracknell delivered a suitably glossy, up-beat take on synth-pop with their usual effortlessly Balearic twist. Highlights are plentiful, from sunny opener "I've Got Your Music" and the string-laden swell of "The Last Days of Disco", to the largely acapella "Record Doctor", baggy and Balearic "Twenty Five Years" and the attractively jangling "Haunted Jukebox". The pop perfection continues on disc two ("More Words and Music"), a previously highly limited bonus album that was originally sold during one of the band's tours of North America.

Review: Second time around for Saint Etienne's 2012 album "Words and Music by Saint Etienne", a typically breezy, summery and ear-pleasing affair in which Bob Stanley, Pete Wiggs and Sarah Cracknell delivered a suitably glossy, up-beat take on synth-pop that arguably owes more to the Pet Shop Boys and their own early works than some of their more celebrated albums. Highlights are plentiful, from sunny opener "I've Got Your Music" and the string-laden swell of "The Last Days of Disco", to the largely acapella "Record Doctor", baggy and Balearic "Twenty Five Years" and the attractively jangling "Haunted Jukebox". Pop perfection tailor made for sunny days and lazy afternoons: don't sleep!

Review: On its initial release in 1994, St Etienne member Bob Stanley described "Tiger Bay" - the band's third studio set - as "an album of modern folk songs done in 20th century styles". It was, though, much more than that; while opener "Urban Clearway" sounds like Kraftwerk, "Hug My Soul" and "Like a Motorway" akin to the Pet Shop Boys and "Cool Kids Of Death" reminiscent of Giorgio Moroder, the rest of the album is far more pastoral in tone, with luscious instrumentation and traditional folk melodies coming to the fore. As this expansive 25th anniversary reissue proves, the album remains a timeless classic. As well as the original album, this box set contains a wealth of bonus tracks, demos and "work in progress" cuts that shine further light on the album's gestation.