Radium88 - Only Science Can Tell Us The Truth

Reviewed by Ben Hurrell

Radium88 are an electronic four-piece from Nottingham who have been making music since '96 and include in their midst Tim Thwaites, a veteran muso who once was a Cross Rhythms reviewer. 'Only Science Can Tell Us The Truth' is Radium88's fifth album, according to their website. The site also states that guitarist/programmer Matt Clare has detachable limbs and violinist Clare Hunt is trying to overthrow the laws of physics, so believe as much as you feel comfortable with. What is evident though is that Radium88 know what they are doing. The tracks are ambient and slightly psychedelic in tone with a wide variety of instruments in the mix as well as more traditional electronic fare. These are tracks to lie back and stare into space with. At times it feels like there is a lack of focus in the music, but I suspect that is completely the point. "Voyage To The Bottom Of The Deep End" is the soundtrack to the best documentary on outer space never made while "...And The Deep Blue See" is what I'd imagine Air would come up with if they were trying to recreate Philip Glass. "Enter Hyperspace" sees Radium88 raise the tempo for a short time with great effect. I'm inclined to think they'd benefit from doing so more often, but I suspect the group know exactly what they are doing.