In a period of less than 4 years South has quietly snuck up on the world and become one of the most outstanding bands of it's ilk, or any other ilk for that matter. As long as we're talking about ilk, I'd say Travis is their primary touchstone, (when I say Travis, I mean the band that delivered The Man Who . . . not 12 Memories). In terms of it's lush, yet somber instrumentation, melodic devices and particularly their big ringing choruses. "Loosen Your Hold" even nicks the finger-picked banjo that is a Travis trademark.

Depending upon the song you could also make easy comparisons to Badly Drawn Boy, the deceased Elliot Smith, Doves and on their more impassioned chorus climaxes Oasis. Interestingly for Brits there are more than a few moments when they sound rather stateside, remindful sometimes of The Thrills and Howie Day. Track 11 "What I Find," even hearkens back to the early days of post-Peter Gabriel Genesis circa Wind and Wuthering.

In much the same way Muse is like having Radiohead back in O.K. Computer form, South is like having Travis back in their prime. A band that once had the best album of 2000 only to go completely to hell in the space of two albums. Speaking of Radiohead the last track on With The Tides, "Threadbare" is most certainly a homage to Radiohead, a song that touches upon just about every phase Thommy and the gang's 10 year run.

This album was actually released in September 03, but seems to be now getting a bigger push, and had I heard it last year it would have been Top 5 material. As it stands it's right up there with Muse and Elbow among my favorites of the new year.