Cerulean
retains the glossy, thoroughly pretty ultra-
pop
feel of
Ocean Blue
's self-titled debut, but ends up showcasing some of the band's dreamier elements as well. The album comes across as a polished-over combination of
the Housemartins
and
the Cocteau Twins
, and it's certainly the most textured and dreamy of the group's releases. Given the band's strict adherence to completely melodic
, though, that doesn't say a whole lot -- their smooth and pretty songs shine through everything they've done, and to say that
is less immediately accessible than
Beneath the Rhythm & Sound
only means that its production is a bit more sparkly and washed out.
are, in many respects, masters of soft, gentle
, and
does nothing to stray from this skill. ~ Nitsuh Abebe