Spirits
Spirits gives Nothing More's heavy rock a stronger electronic presence. Synth sounds and altered bass textures share space with the guitars, while Jonny Hawkins moves between melodic singing and a much harsher delivery. The record has several forceful songs, although the experiments do not always join together into an equally convincing whole.
Turn It up Like (Stand in the Fire) makes an immediate statement through its combination of riffs, synths and vocal anger. Tired of Winning puts that mixture around a more obvious chorus. The heavier guitar opening and the changes in vocal approach help the song retain a physical quality beneath the polished production.
You Don't Know What Love Means finds a more melodic balance. The bass and lead guitar work closely together, giving the singing a firm rhythmic setting. The singing gives that direct arrangement its emotional appeal.
The Other F Word grows from a slower opening into a bass drop and harsher vocals. Dream with Me works from another strong guitar idea. Its quicker movement, lead playing and heavier bridge give the later part of the record a useful burst of energy.
The quieter experiments are less consistent. Déjà Vu spends much of its time in a subdued electronic setting, with careful drumming adding small details before the sound grows. Face It also continues longer than its ideas need.
The title track provides a better ending. The arrangement gradually increases in weight, with Hawkins drawing on both restrained and more powerful singing before the final release. It gives the record a clear sense of arrival.
Spirits contains plenty of good playing and some memorable vocal performances. Its weakness is consistency: a strong musical idea can be followed by an experiment that feels less complete. Nothing More remain most effective when the electronic sounds, guitar weight and melodic hook strengthen one another inside a focused song.
