This came out in 2004 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
“New thing, done thing, even last year’s thing … Are just a few of the things that I ain’t,” sings The Beautiful South’s Paul Heaton. He’s got that right.
For over than a decade, Heaton and co. have been proof positive that life and the music business are patently unfair. Featuring ex-members of The Housemartins, the South boast three superb vocalists, two gifted tunesmiths and a thick catalog of smartly crafted Britpop gems — yet they remain criminally unknown outside their U.K. home. You’d like to think that Gaze, their latest superlative collection of instantly addictive melody, melancholy grooves, lightly rootsy arrangements and wry, wistfully witty words would improve their lot, but you’d likely be wrong. On the other hand, gorgeous Squeeze-like numbers like Pretty, Just A Few Things That I Ain’t, Life vs. The Lifeless and 101% Man are sure to improve your life a little.
