Blood Music
Blood Music gives rhythm more work to do. Chapterhouse retain their light singing and layered guitars but bring keyboards, samples and electronic drums further forward. The record approaches the dance floor without entirely abandoning melodic guitar pop. It works better as a continuous movement than as a sequence of immediately recognisable singles, finding its appeal in how the sounds connect.
Don't Look Now makes the change clear immediately. A guitar part joins its electronic opening, connecting the band's different sides from the start. More attention goes towards how the various elements fit within a rhythm.
Everytime uses that movement accessibly. Greater Power emphasises the guitars instead, providing a firmer interruption. Songs like these demonstrate that the changed approach need not displace the writing. Vocals also stand further forward, although they remain soft enough to fit the familiar sound. Its lighter atmosphere remains.
Individual song quality varies. We Are The Beautiful has enough movement but less character than its presentation promises. Deli maintains its cooler surroundings for a long time and loses some tension. The quiet Love Forever makes a more attractive connection between atmosphere and melody at the end, giving the original album a gentle conclusion.
The electronic emphasis gives Blood Music an identity but does not strengthen every idea. Presentation sometimes carries more weight than the song itself. Even so, the album is appealing as a whole. Transitions between lighter dance rhythms and firmer guitars generally work. Chapterhouse find enough useful connections to make this step interesting, even if the strongest moments stand clearly above the rest.
