"Datura" is the fourth album by Blackpool alt rockers Boston Manor. These guys were definitely my best find during lockdown. With their previous album "Glue" being my favourite album of 2020. Since then, they released a 5 track EP last year and now in 2022 we have an album.
But is "Datura" really an album? Well, that's up for debate as it is only 7 tracks. Of course, you do get albums with not many tracks but due to the length of tracks they can be longer than some albums with lots of tracks. "Amarok" by Mike Oldfield for example, 1 track but 1 hour long. But this album comes in at 26 minutes and usually I would say an album should be at least 30 minutes. But in a Q and A I saw with the band they were absolutely adamant it was an album. So, if they say so you just have to go along with it. One thing this does affect though is pricing as EPs really should be cheaper than albums as they have less music. So maybe hear they are calling an album as well so they can sell for more. And in these times, I wouldn't even argue with that as bands really need any help, they can get at the moment to keep going financially. So, if calling it an album means they can get more for it, you have to support it.
The other aspect of saying wait a minute, it's only 7 tracks, is that all you are going to give me? Here you really have to zoom out and look at the bigger picture with Boston Manor. They have released albums in 2016, 2018 and 2020. Then released a 5 track EP in 2021. There are many bands you don't hear from for years but here are Boston Manor giving you over 20 tracks in a 2-year period. And in a way as well I think what they are doing is actually genius. Many bands release long albums and then don't get to play many songs live from albums because they have too much to choose from. Whereas as with Boston Manor, even though they still have loads of tunes to choose from. By doing shorter albums they can put a larger percentage of the EP and "Datura" into their set lists as they tour after each release.
So yeah, I think they did the right thing by releasing this as a 7-track album. But what about the music I hear you say? Well, the first couple of singles that came from "Datura" came in the form of "Foxglove" and "Passenger", both anthemic, rocking, singalong and just outstanding singles to kick off and really get any crowd bouncing. Next single "Inertia" was the slower more downbeat track which takes you on a mesmerising journey. I noted when this came out that it was the single version and was 4 minutes long. So, I was highly anticipating the full-length version when coming to listen to the full album. This is the last track of the album and to be honest I did feel a bit let down by it. Don't get me wrong, they didn't ruin the song or the album. But I felt this could have been turned into a truly epic, longer track. Instead, what we got was the same as the single version then the last 2 minutes are kind of some random noises which don't really add to the song.
"Crocus" was a last-minute single before the album dropped and that is another class tune. Then moving onto the other tracks on the album. Title track kicks off the album and has quite a moody feel about it and links in well with 2nd track "Floodlights on the square" which is where BM step it up a gear and the album bursts into life. Momentum keeps going with "Foxglove", "Passenger and "Crocus". Then the album takes an unexpected turn with "Shelter from the rain" as this is a purely instrumental track. This is not trying to be anything big or outlandish. More trying to create that moody, atmospheric vibe. There is not a lot to it but it’s still an ok track. I can't see it being on the set list but it's good to see them trying to mix things up a bit and try new things. "Inertia" brings the album to a close.
Overall, I think the singles on this album stand shoulder to shoulder with the best tracks they have ever done. They have tried different things with this album and time will tell to see if it works in their favour. It gives people something to talk about which is important for bands and overall, the album has really grown on me. This is just part 1 of a 2-part project so it will be interesting to hear the other side of the album. I am particularly intrigued to see if the end of "Inertia" makes more sense and links up with part 2 of the project.
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