Although
the Inspiral Carpets
added more production flourishes and keyboards on
The Beast Inside
, it ends up being a disappointing effort by the band to "grow up." While
Life
was intense and driven,
comes across as simply uninspired. The several attempts to add new dimensions to the group's sound actually result in hindering the band by weakening their previously strong groove and grittiness. It does not help matters any that the quintet are unable to come up with the kind of catchy choruses and strong hooks that were crawling all over their debut. Reducing the role of the Hammond organ was not a wise move, and the
ballads
especially sound lifeless as a result. Even
"Further Away,"
a 14-minute epic which does have roaring organs and guitars, never really gets anywhere. Without even the powerful lyrics of their debut going for it, only the rare track, like the spooky
"Born Yesterday,"
manages to captivate here. ~ Geoff Orens