Hate conjures up images of Nirvana-esque pain and sprawling guitar epics, but the Delgados are cleverer than that. Diving into the murky depths of self-hatred, they evoke the smothering effect of depression. Using strings and flutes, choirs and feather-light harmonies, these are quicksand songs of sadness.
The Light Before We Land has Emma Pollock looking for light amid Prozac-induced blandness. Fake smiles are plastered over a broken spirit in All You Need Is Hate, a dark yet sunny slice of psychedelic pop. "We kicked and punched and stabbed to death," Alun Woodward sings, cheerily, "and everyone applauded my fine actions, I was overcome." The Drowning Years is a painful ode to schizophrenia told through echo-laden vocals and strings as alive as nerve-endings. This is a lush album full of gorgeous melodies and lullaby voices, but its sentiments might keep you awake at night.
