Pram ‎– Across The Meridian

An LP that was ridiculously not featured in any of those inane AOTY-lists. I have been listening to Pram since they released Sargasso Sea in 1995 and have enjoyed their music ever since. That said, I read about the disappearance of Rosie Cuckston, so I thought this LP was not worth listening to. For a substantial part of their magic was due to her insane voice. I do not like sopranos that much, but hers was a special voice. Then, I realised that the gender-agnostic name "Sam" did hide yet another female in the band. So, the bassist is a competent suitor. She makes the absence of Rosie, as it were, unperceived to my ears. This is yet another marvellous example of Pram's strangely mesmerising music. Spaghetti Western, film noir, post-rock, you name it thrown into the pot to yield the unique Pram-blend of music where a new LP yields another slice of their great art. Nothing new when you are familiar with their output, but as wonderfully entertaining as, let us say, a new record by Stereolab or by Shellac would very likely be. I am happy to report, that Pram is in good mid-season form.