The Room - Restless Fate (2023)

Early 80’s Liverpool stalwarts The Room are back. Theirs is a melodic blend of progressive, alternative pop and sultry post-punk, which is just as fresh and relevant now as it was when they first broke up in 1985. Firm favourites of the late, great John Peel they have been compared to Joy Division, The Fall and fellow Liverpool band Echo and the Bunnymen. New album Restless Fate picks up where the band left off. At times shimmering, at times haunting, but at all times an arresting and urgent listen. An exploration of man’s search for meaning and the dysfucntion of the human condition, there is still a relentless optimism at the core of this record. A stark post-punk soundcape provides plenty of space for frontman Dave Jackson’s spirited yet acerobic vocal. Perhaps one might find more wisdom in Resless Fate’s songwriting and lyrics than in The Room’s previous catalogue, this could just be experience showing.