18-years since their debut Cardinal have reformed and recorded their sophomore album, Hymns. The pair, Eric Matthews and Richard Davies, have taken quite separate life choices during the ‘in-between’ years (Matthews signing to Sub Pop and going grunge, Richards working with GBV’s Richard Pollard and Flydaddy). Yet as Cardinal, the musicians’ love for 60s sun-kissed pop is rediscovered. But like anything that has been in storage for 18-years, it never feels quite as fresh, or relevant, second time round. We’re just glad it hasn’t gone off completely.

Truth is these acoustic, cyclical strums and retro, breezy tones have been getting nailed by the likes of The Clientele, among others, during Cardinal’s hiatus, so they can’t just be breezing back in. Have they really thought this through?

The warmth of the production and the easy-going vibe is hardly offensive, but melodically each song floats aimlessly into the next. It can feel like one long continual, harmonised vocal line massaging your slowly numbing brain. That said Northern Soul is a decent opener, even if the acoustics sound wafer thin. Hints of Baroque pop stream through the sunrays as the brass blows optimistically.

But overall Cardinal seem far too comfortable dropping in elements of The Beatles (acoustically on Rosemary Livingston, rocking on Love Like Rain), picking up tips from Roger Waters (check the vocal performance on General Hospital) and generally building a vibe rather than writing memorable songs. It leaves them with a record, that while pleasant, is rather insipid – and a little boring if the truth be told.

-Brian Bentner-