This, Feeders fifth album, follows on where its predecessor, 2002's Comfort In Sound left off. That album was of course heavily influenced by the death of original drummer Jon Lee. Its clear that the circumstances surrounding his suicide still profoundly affect Grant Nicholas as there are continuing messages of hope, loss and regret throughout.

Anybody expecting a return of the upbeat rock of Feeders earlier work will be sorely disappointed, the band have continued to mature and seem a million miles away from the likes of "Buck Rogers" or " Seven Days In The Sun" now. That's not to say this is all doom and gloom though as some of the arrangements are very uplifting and occasionally hit mid-tempo (soft) rock. Its probably fair to say that anyone listening to this album unaware of the bands history would not read quite so much tragic loss into the majority of the lyrics too.

When you consider the current climate for this type of music (created partly by the huge success of Coldplay's "A Rush Of Blood To The Head" and the soporific "Hopes And Fears" from Keane last year) Feeder could well enjoy their greatest commercial success to date as there are are several strong candidates for singles here ("Tumble And Fall having been released earlier this year and "Feeling A Moment" being released the week this review was submitted).

The music can at times be cloying however, for example on "Frequency" Nicholas sings "You've got to know, I think about you every day, You're lying awake on top of silver clouds, Sending love back down." Now it might seem heartless to criticise anyone who is expressing their feelings in the wake of the death of a close friend but I honestly feel that these emotions can be expressed in far more subtle and intelligent ways (something Feeder manage perfectly on the beautiful "Dove Grey Sands").

So if you like "Comfort In Sound" you'll enjoy this record immensely as it continues with the more restrained sound that Feeder have now developed and if there's any justice the band will enjoy huge success with "Pushing The Senses".

Let us know your views on 'Pushing The Senses'

Track List

Feeling A Moment
Bitter Glass
Tumble And Fall
Tender
Pushing The Senses
Frequency
Morning Life
Pilgrim Soul
Pain On Pain
Dove Grey Sands

Line Up

Grant Nicholas - Guitar/Vocals
Taka Hirose - Bass
Mark Richardson - Drums