While Gaze has a similar quality to many previous releases from this unique band, it also goes further in many respects. First, we have a new female vocalist in Alison "Lady" Wheeler. At first listen I could have sworn I was hearing Jaqui. Listen closely though and on a track like Get Here you can hear a distinct similarity to Briana as well.

As for some of the other tracks, I dare anyone to try to get Let Go With The Flow out of their head after just two or three listens. It has a hook that goes beyond any other Beautiful South tune. On Life Vs. The Lifeless we hear an almost reggae approach that is most refreshing.

There are, of course, other tracks that are 100% Beautiful South. Just a Few Things That I Ain't, Sailing Solo, and Angels and Devils are quintessential Heaton/Rotheray songs, with the rhyme and melody that can only be penned by such tunesmiths. Not a weak track on the entire disc.

Overall a very good disk with some very snappy, poppy tunes with the acerbic wit and observation that the Beautiful South are known for. In part, I think their inclusion of POP rather than purely CEREBRAL tunes is part of the reason that some don't like this record. If you are one who's looking for something profound, there are other places you should look. However, if you are looking for a very listenable continuation of what first drew you to the Beautiful South I don't think you'll be disappointed. They continue to present the ironic and sometimes-too-close-to-the-truth in well-written and clever ways.

I love the Beautiful South, I do, but Gaze is the work of a band in stasis. There are wonderful songs here, full of their trademark sarcasm and gentleness, such as "Pretty" and "101% Man". But there's also routine in it. "Just a Few Things That I Ain't" marries its wicked lyric to the melody of "Cool Jerk". And none of the others tracks have impressed themselves on my mind after months of listening.

I respect everyone's opinion here....but, I wonder if they are BS fans or someone who just picked up the album. Beautiful South of course never had great popularity in America; they sometimes could be too witty and cute. But this cd is their best effort if you are looking for thoughtful, clever lyrics and harmonies and musicianship. OK, I admit the first time I heard "Pretty" with it's slightly country feel, I thought uh-oh. But I'm not sure what the fans are longing for, another "Old Red Eyes is Back"?? They have moved forward into middle age, some of the songs reflect this. "The Gates" is a great example of the male/female back and forth we've loved in the past; "Angels and Devils" another classic Paul/Dave masterpiece; "Just a Few Things that I Ain't" another witty play by Paul about things he's not going to be. I suspect that if you go back and give this cd another few listens, you'll see the subtle beautiful songwriting and great songs. Yes, there were not hits here, but that was not always what BS was about. For me, since they were not played in America, I never knew which songs were hits or not....it's not something you should be concerned about unless you work in top 40 radio.

If you already know The Beautiful South, there's not much new here. Which could be a good thing, cause I never understood the desire for change. But I don't get the feeling they really worked on improving what they had.

Apparently TBS has always had interesting lyrics, but I never really hear them, it's all about the music and melody to me. And those are good. All songs swing at some level, nice and relax.

I still prefer Brianna's voice though.

Best songs: Live vs The Lifeless, Sailing Solo and Half of Him.

Altogether, it's nice, but I'm missing the melodies they had on the first 3 albums, and Blue... Doubtful if there'll be hits off this one.