The record opens with a theremin influenced instrumental before going straight for the jugular with ‘Shadows Of Your Love’.  It’s a song that probably wouldn’t sound of place in a movie about Robin Hood, such is its folky style, but the opening lyrics to this (and to the album) have shock value, being “well, fuck you, love/and fair thee well”.  That said, follow up songs like ‘I Am A Camera’ and ‘Renaissance Kid’ have even more shock value on the basis that they sound nothing like the first, going for a bouncy, synth dominated pop. 

Despite a lot of the album going for this upbeat and radio friendly take the better moments here are when the band slow things down.  Next single ‘Light in Her Window’ is probably the best song on the album, powered by an addictive, quiet and sinister sounding riff, piano tinkling quietly in the background.  Almost evoking images of a midnight stalker, it’s hard to shake from your head, particularly when it builds to a crescendo of jaggy riffs.  Similarly ‘Staying Sober’ is a slow burner, sliding guitars providing lead singer Lucas Renney with a background to sing what sounds like a highly depressing tale of drunkenness.  It doesn’t seem to be going anywhere until harmonies kick in at the chorus and then it seems rather clever indeed. 

Clever is certainly a word which you could use for this record as while the tunes are often fine, it’s the audaciously barbed lyrics within them which catch your ear.  ‘Never Had A Prayer’ is a great example, coated in a melancholic melody and seemingly sung by a (just dumped) loser.  Then astonishingly it turns on its head as Renney, still singing in a voice which suggests he’s about to end it, suddenly slips in a sidewinder to the girl who’s just dumped him – "I hope you get yours in the end".  

‘Shadows Of Your Love’ and ‘We’ll Never Be Friends’ are just as bitter, though you wonder if the difference between The Golden Virgins and most other bands is that they’re actually pretty honest about the way some relationships go. 

While the tunes might let them down a bit, Songs Of Praise is actually a pretty competent and lyrically clever record which is probably the most honest and off kilter you’ll hear this year.  Yes lads, it is mainly about love, but bloody hell is it dark. 

(3/5)

Release Date: 31 May 2004

Songs Of Praise