Leaving barely enough time to settle since their B-side and remix compilation, Grand National unleash their second album of danceable indie pop on an expectant world. The first thing that struck me about ‘A Drink And A Quick Decision’ is that it’s very similarly stylistically to their debut. On ‘Kicking The National Habit’, at least half of the songs bore the hallmark of a cracking single and there’s much the same here. Then again there’s also a healthy quota of slow-burners; featuring more considered moments. There’s a similar feeling of the excitement of the night out, followed by the regret of the morning afterwards.
If you’re after great songs then ‘A Drink & A Quick Decision’ boasts plenty of them. ‘Weird Ideas At Work’ possesses hooks-a-plenty both in the verse and the chorus, ‘By The Time I Get Home…’ wastes no time in going straight for the dancefloor whilst ‘Going To Switch The Lights On’ is wonderfully rhythmic and bouncy. These are all topped by the irresistably infectious ‘Close Approximation’. On a more cerebral level, ‘Animal Sounds’ and ‘Cut By The Brakes’ have their fair share of early-80s synth sounds but these are songs that reap rewards the more you listen to them. Towards the end of the record comes the downbeat material; ’Joker & Clown’ and ‘Pack All The Things You Need’ are signs of real maturity. All these factors make ‘A Drink And A Quick Decision’ possibly the thinking man’s dance album of the year.
http://www.grand-national.net/
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Review: Grand National - Kicking The National Habit,
Review: Grand National - B-Sides, Remixes & Rarities
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