Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

There is always more than one reason why something doesn’t fit anymore, the jigsaw puzzle that attaches itself to life is broken, perhaps scuffed at the edges to the point where the right piece just doesn’t slot perfectly in anymore, it requires gentle persuasion, a firm pressing down or even the body blow of a hammer to knock it into shape. You begin to think it is yourself, you blame everything upon your own actions but sometimes it really is forces beyond your control or desire. For Steve Thompson and The Incidents, it is no longer a case of It’s Me Not You, it is only the fact that You’re The Reason.

You’re The Reason, the growl of a band who enjoy such verbal sparring, who make good on the demands on their time and who without doubt play with music as if it was a red hot lover, sensuous, beautiful, admirable and giving, a lover that does not overwhelm the relationship but who can add gravitas just by being able to hear them; so few of us are fortunate, however they have not had the music of Steve Thompson and The Incidents to guide their drive.

The single is full of depth and allows the refrain of the song to be heard in a positive way, it allows the music to give much without ever losing its identity, without ever allowing the listener to feel short changed in their appreciation. Passion is a beautiful thing, it can be misdirected, it can be convincing and yet at all times it must be honest if it is too survive and the rawness of the single alludes to that, it asks the listener to know the difference between taking the blame and to understanding that sometimes other people are out of their mind, they just don’t get you.

You’re The Reason…Steve Thompson and The Incidents are the reason why music is always worth pursuing.

Ian D. Hall