Most times when a band with a substantial back catalogue claim their new album is "their best yet" or a cross between two of their most well received efforts, it usually turns out to be either not the case at all or an overhyped mess. Suede's "comeback" album Bloodsports finds the band picking up where they left off circa 1996's Coming Up. In essence, this is the follow up that Head Music just wasn't.
Bloodsports opens with a trifecta of songs ('Barriers', 'Snowblind', and first single 'It Starts And Ends With You') that are better than anything on 2002's A New Morning. Clearly, it wasn't only the fans who had a bad taste left in their mouths by that release. 'Sabotage' is soaked in gothic glamour and 'Hit Me' is a glam pop rocker. 'Sometimes I Feel I'll Float Away' taps into the spirit of 1992's b-side 'To The Birds'.
Bloodsports isn't perfect. It does come close, were it not for a couple of ballads ('Always' and 'Faultlines') that end the album with a whimper rather than the bang it begins with. That said, Bloodsports is a great return to form. Here's hoping for more!
Standout tracks: 'It Starts And Ends With You', 'Hit Me' and 'Sometimes I Feel I'll Float Away'
