Missed Out Music

Sometimes an album gets lost in the shuffle. HEAVE reminds you that good music never goes away.

Black Box Recorder could be the most overlooked pop group of the past ten years. They had all the elements of success, but the obvious makings of commercial disaster as well. Consisting of two British indie rock vets and an Olivia Newton-John sound alike, Black Box Recorder released three albums that provided the listener with a diary of a modern day Britain. Stories of its inhabitants coming of age, sexual identity and frustration - and equating learning how to drive with losing one's virginity were just some of Sarah Nixey's breathy musings. BBR's first two albums (England Made Me and The Facts Of Life) were a somewhat muted glimpse into what they were truly capable of.

Lyrically sharp as Ray Davies, lead singer Sarah Nixey came into her own sultry best on Black Box Recorder's last album Passionoia. Band mates Luke Haines (formerly of The Auteurs), and John Moore (formerly of The Jesus and Mary Chain) provide the perfect soundtrack to Ms. Nixey's journey through obsession with celebrity, admiration of lost 80's pop icons and Nationalistic pride over the Royal family. The crowning achievement on Passionia is the story of a country losing its true direction and ultimately embracing fear. Black Box Recorder have been on official hiatus for the past five years. They are rumored to be working on new material, but that information could be as fickle as one of the teenage subjects in their songs.

STREAM: Black Box Recorder – When Britain Refused To Sing

Posted by Joe Roth on Mar 04, 2008 @ 12:00 am


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