Albums to watch

the 8th

Paul Heaton

the 8th

The former Housemartins and Beautiful South singer's latest release is a soul opera, commissioned by the Manchester International Festival

ADM rating[?]

6.7

Label
Proper
UK Release date
02/07/2012
US Release date
10/07/2012
  1. 8.0 |   The Scotsman

    Absorbing if flawed
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  2. 8.0 |   Evening Standard

    Mystifyingly, Paul Heaton’s solo career has never quite taken off post Beautiful South. The 8th won’t change things but it’s a joy
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  3. 8.0 |   Independent on Sunday

    A rock-soul opera that sounds like Leonard Bernstein meets Public Enemy
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  4. 8.0 |   The Arts Desk

    There is particularly plenty to enjoy here for ageing class warrior lefties who paid attention to the words on old Housemartins albums
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  5. 8.0 |   Q

    Further confirmation of Paul Heaton's warm yet crotchety gifts. Print edition only

  6. 8.0 |   musicOMH

    The real power of The 8th will likely better be expressed in its stage form, but as a recorded document the album is a staggering achievement
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  7. 7.0 |   BBC

    The 8th is hard-going, but at best it has some powerful moments, such as Heaton’s reggae-rock take on the 8th sin, GOSSIP. At absolute worst it’s a powerful, exciting experiment that should revitalise Heaton’s always eccentric muse
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  8. 7.0 |   The Digital Fix

    The 8th is not an easy listen and unlikely to find itself nestling alongside all those copies of Carry On Up The Charts out there, but for lovers of intriguing, challenging and downright bonkers records this is a must buy
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  9. 6.0 |   Mojo

    Heaton's songwriting lends itself to 'stageable' narratives more than most. Print edition only

  10. 6.0 |   The Independent

    It's the narrator's experience that gives the work its power, as he journeys from being a young murderer haunted by his victim, to an avenging benefactor seeking morsels of redemption
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  11. 5.0 |   Uncut

    The story is terminally confused, the soggy soul texture dated. Print edition only

  12. 2.0 |   State

    Sadly by the time The 8th concludes this story of redemption has fallen on bored, apathetic, irritated ears
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