A Brief Crack of Light Blast Records**

When you become a band of a certain age – as Therapy? now are – you run the risk of becoming a novelty act (see also: Iron Maiden). ˜The risk is doubled when you're a hard rock band that uses a vocoder. Adding the robotic studio effect to Andy Cairns's voice is justone ill-judged misstep on the Northern Irish rockers' 13th album. A Brief Crack of Lightflails futilely in search of a steadying mood, from the diesel-swilling Plague Bellto the baffling futuristic trudge of dreadful closer Ecclesiastes. The resultant record, apart from a handful of passable tracks (Marlow, Ghost Trio)is lacklustre throughout. It sounds like Therapy? are clutching at straws in a desperate effort to stay relevant. A few solid songs would be a good start. therapyquestionmark.co.uk

Download tracks: Marlow, Ghost Trio