Pushing the Senses if the fifth studio album from three piece Feeder. Since their early days, they’ve come a long way. After former drummer Jon Lee’s suicide in 2002, the band’s sound has softened slightly, but still has a vibrant, colourful sort of quality.

The album opens with second single; Feeling a Moment. The surreal intro to this may make you think that some other band has slipped their CD into your stereo, but once the first chorus, surrounded by a wall of guitars and drumming, comes on, you know from the lyrics, amazing vocals from Grant Nicholas and the musicianship, that this is in fact Feeder. The intro may be odd, but it grows on you, and works with the song.

The first song released from this album was track number 3, Tumble and Fall. There are countless bands in the world that wouldn’t have a hope in hell of pulling this song off, but Feeder manage it. It’s something a bit new from this band, and although it isn’t the lively anthem they’d usually make their first single, it really grows on you.

The old, rockier side of the band still shines on this album. With title track Pushing the Senses, and others like Pilgrim Soul, you can picture the crowd at a concert having the time of their lives, singing along smiling, while this song is played. But there’s a melancholic side to the album as well, complete with piano intros. Tracks like Bitter Glass, Morning Life and Dove Grey Sands hint at their last album, Comfort in Sound, while still bringing new elements to the band’s sound and drawing you in.

The lyrics may not be excellent on every track, but they’re nice, and pretty easy to listen to. Grant’s voice reaches a new height here, and is absolutely amazing. Bass guitar (Taka Hirose) and drumming (Mark Richardson) are also good, and make the album great.

It’s worth popping out to the store to get. You won’t be disappointed if you’ve been a fan of this band for a while, or if you’re just getting into them. The artwork on this album is wonderful and imaginative too, making it quite a pretty package, both sound and looks wise.

Rating Out of 10: