Saint Etienne – Tales From Turnpike House (Sanctuary) album review

Casual observers may think that Saint Etienne are yet to make an album which isn't a conceptual love-letter to The Big Smoke in all its grubby, doomed romantic glory. But following 2002's musically ambitious return-to-form Finisterre (itself the soundtrack to an elegiac film about England's capital), Bob, Pete & Sarah turn in a bona fide electro-pop concept album about a 24-hour stretch in a London tower block. Making astute use of former Beach Boys harmonic collaborator Tony Rivers and, er, David Essex, Turnpike House grows warmer and friendlier with repeated exposure – 'Milk Bottle Sypmhony' and 'Side Streets' shine especially brightly.

Charlie Ivens


originally appeared in The Fly magazine, June 2005 issue