Twenty years and ten albums in, Therapy? have taken an intriguing left turn with new record Crooked Timber. Produced by Andy Gill (Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Killing Joke) it's an album that focuses much more on rhythms than the sing-long melodies of old. A victory of sorts, atrocious artwork aside, it's an album that shows that there's plenty of life and ideas still in Therapy? just yet.

'The Head That Tried To Strangle Itself' kicks things off in awkward style and is a sign of things to come with its battering riffs and angular rhythms. The Northern Irish trio have certainly not taken the easy road and merely tried to reproduce the sound of their mid-1990's peak - in other words, those looking for the meaty hooks of a 'Screamager' or 'Teethgrinder' will be left distinctly wanting. Later the album's title track provides one of its most relatively straight-forward and pop moments, while the instrumental behemoth that is 'Magic Mountain' transforms from doomy dirge to uplifting journey all in the course of its hulking ten minute lifespan.

Sure Crooked Timber isn't an album that will catapult Therapy? back to the popularity of their heyday, but it's still strong release worthy of your attention nonetheless.

Rating: 3/5 by Dan Jones

Tracklisting

1. The Head That Tried To Strangle Itself
2. Enjoy The Struggle
3. Clowns Galore
4. Exiles
5. Crooked Timber
6. I Told You I Was Ill
7. Somnambulist
8. Blacken The Page
9. Magic Mountain
10. Bad Excuse For Daylight

Further links

Therapy? (therapyquestionmark.com)

Official site of the legendary Irish band