Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
Texas have been away for an eternity, the self-imposed hiatus that the group have kept to religiously looked like never ending and since 2005’s release of The Red Book, it looked as if the hiatus was going to end up as a permanent closure. One of the finest Scottish acts would be no more. Never doubt though, always believe that as long as a band have the willing then at some point they will come back together and make a near masterpiece that Di Vinci, Constable or Pitman would have been proud to take ownership of. Where The Red Book faded away, The Conversation never looks as if it could be stopped being talked about.
The exchange of ideas that must have taken place in the preceding eight years, the bandying of discourse in picking the right moment in which to come back together, to make an album that is as vibrant as White on Blonde, as important as the debut Southside or as evocative as The Hush, must have seemed like forever picking at the crust of a scab, never letting anything really heal and become wholesome again. The scab that was picked to death has not just healed it has given rise to an album that has enough energy to run an A and E department, to once and for all show that Texas are not just a great band but one that without music seems a little dull.
The two disc C.D. is akin to a weighty tome, not only do the casual listener get to hear some excellent new music from Ally McErlaine, Eddie Campbell, Tony McGovern and Johnny McElhone but Sharleen Spiteri really has got the grit between her teeth as she focuses completely on giving a first class performance throughout both the studio part of the album but the sensational live C.D. that accompanies it. The live C.D. really has the majesty of a well performed gig, the raw energy is picked up well and is notable for actually sounding as if caught live and not twiddled around with for hours on end. The studio album, well the studio album bangs loudly to the beat of not just one drum but an entire squadron full. It grabs hold, shakes till the ears bleed and then digs that little further with a spoon to make sure the listener is fully aware of what is going on.
Whether it is the album title track, the superb Detroit City, Talk About Love, Hearts are Made to Stray or If This Isn’t Real, the album testifies with hand on heart that sometimes the break is worth-while. Never has Ms Spiteri sounded so invigorated or alive.
Ian D. Hall