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Ever since Texas were welcomed back into the fold
of British pop in 1997, theirs has been a story of
consistent success. The three albums since their
return have sold by the bucketload, their singles
racking up huge airplay, with Sharleen proving an
ever-visible promotional asset - not to mention the
distinctive voice of the band.
For this is her show, no doubt about it. But it
would be churlish not to recognise the contribution of
the other band members. Between them they lift Red
Book above the status of predictable follow-up to a
vibrant record that genuinely moves their style of
music forward.
This is most evident in the subtle electro touches
added to drums and bass, sounds that give tracks like
Get Down Tonight an extra sassy strut towards the
dancefloor. Meanwhile, the slower songs also benefit
from these trimmings, with What About Us transformed
into a thing of vulnerable beauty, Sharleen singing a
simple yet uncertain melody.
The singles Getaway and Can't Resist are Texas by
numbers - not a criticism, more a note that these guys
only have to turn up to have a serviceable anthem or
two on their hands. Can't Resist might grate a bit,
however, with Spiteri's potentially irritating vocal
slides, but in truth this is an album where her voice
sounds more assured than ever, a hint of falsetto now
and then complimenting her full tone.
Once again the production is as glossy as a woman's
monthly, layer upon layer added to the mix,
occasionally threatening to smother Ally
McErlaine's well-crafted guitar work. On the rare
occasions this is pared down, it's easier to
interact with Sharleen's vocal, the verses of What
About Us a prime example.
A standout track is the duet between Spiteri and
Blue Nile front man Paul Buchanan on the
warmly intimate Sleep. You would be hard pushed to
recognise Buchanan's voice in this tender love song,
and you might baulk at the lyrics too - while
Sharleen's terms of endearment; "I think that you're
the one" are fine, the exultation of the chorus to;
"let me sleep, so I can dream of you" sounds a little
contrived, one eye on a high chart placing
perhaps.
That shouldn't mask the overall quality, though, and
the final, title track is a torchbearer, an ultimately
uplifting close. Rather than come back with more of
the same, Texas now have more of an edge, with even
more style for the current pop climate. It suits them
well.
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