in 2000, an album by the name of From Here On In was released. though used briefly for an American Eagle campaign, the album was propelled only by the triad of musicians behind it all. only in their 20's, Joel Cadbury, Brett Shaw, and Jamie McDonald (all instrumental polymaths) had crafted one of the finest shoegazer albums to come out in a rather long time. the only problem with Fron Here On In was a lack of follow-through when it came to some of the more aggressive tracks and a lack of overall zeal. then again, for a debut album of such strength such a lack was without real threat.

with With The Tides South seems to have flipped their previous album on its head, albeit with a tighter, more serious sound. using the production work of Dave Eringa (Manic Street Preachers, Ash, Idlewild) the trio has managed to carefully manipulate what was only hinted at on their last album. but Dave Eringa's impressive credits also act as a slight condemnation since the bands he's produced are all of a harder orientation. so while songs like 'Colours in Waves' and 'Fragile Day' are disturbingly well-executed, the softer pieces like 'Nine Lives' and 'What I Find' are missing that je ne sais quoi on their last work. not stale but not revelatory, these tracks add an unnecessary weight to what would seem to be an album of almost ethereal majesty. various nuances such as the harpsicord and ukalele on 'Loosen Your Hold' or the strings on the opener 'Motiveless Crime,' show a meticulous attention to detail. it's just a pity that the same detail wasn't doled to the pieces which made From Here On In great.