Even if Painting does very little to expand the sonic palette of Ocean Colour Scene, it is a very strong, self-assured and confident recording.
Now they’re safely out of what passes for fashion, their retroisms sound more loving than offensive.
As a whole, Painting is not a bad effort, with some nice tunes, though it’s all a bit dull and predictable: good brushwork but lacking inspiration.
I've not listened to a new (to me) Ocean Colour Scene record for the best part of twenty years. This was much better than I thought it would be. It is not a great record by any stretch of the imagination but the sound is much softer, older (as they are) and has a pleasant mellow feel to it.
Essential Track - I Don't Want to Leave England