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Didn't British Sea Power used to be a bunch of weird, shout and strum, jittery Pixies fanatics? I think I may have missed a few steps in their evolutionary process, but the first floated track from the UK band's forthcoming Krankenhaus EP sounds pretty blatantly Canadian. Easy scapegoats in this case are collaborators, Howard Bilerman and Efrin Menuc, formerly of Arcade Fire and currently of A Silver Mt. Zion, respectively. "Atom" sees BSP comfortably transformed into one of those strident, minimal in the build up but blasts you with symphonic catharsis on the chorus, kind of bands that we've all been practically choking on for the past three years or so. I mean this is perfectly nice for what it is, its got a good melody and a strong momentum, but is any one else out there just ready to turn the stylistic page?

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I think I'm in the minority in wishing BSP's forthcoming album will have the same haunting and majestic music beautifully put together in Open Season. 'Atom' is a warmer; I hope the EP and new album will have something different (doesn't have to be loud and fast) to offer as well. Hey, at least we didn't have to wait that long for another record.