The Queen is dead; long live The New Queen. If you get that Smiths reference then you will get this polished debut by Boston based The Sheila Divine, who like Harvey Danger, are pulling some very distinct and direct influences from Morrissey and Marr. Other music writers may be attempting to liken their sound to Radiohead, but I don’t hear it. To me this is an Americanized, less subtle, more 90’s continuation of the legacy of 80’s British Bedsit music. Not that I’m knocking it, this is a quality album. At times quirky, whimsical and witty. In other places more direct, building tight rock songs around swirling guitars. At all times being highly listenable, although missing the true high points of their illustrious predecessors.
New Parade is an album that improves with each airing, the complexity of the songs best appreciated with familiarity, although the likes of "Hum", "Like a Criminal" and "I’m a Believer" are strong enough to be able to sell the band musically with their first hearing. The production is remarkable good, and Roadrunner Records, a label normally associated with Thrash Metal, are putting their total marketing might behind this band, from the ground up. The quality of the material here would indicate they are at least as deserving of MTV’s time and exposure as Harvey Danger. In fact "Hum" would be perfect, especially as it is a rant against the bland pointless pop that MTV is so fond of.
The Sheila Divine met in college, and claim their name is from the Australian slang word "Sheila". Their definition is that it means the same as "pansy". I hate to break it to these guys, but although it is feasibly possible to use it in that sense, it is normally used to refer to a female. A "Bruce" is a man, a "Sheila" a woman. It is a bit like claiming "girlie" is primarily an insult towards effeminate men, sure it can be used like that, but to most people it has a more direct meaning. Apparently they were going to call themselves "Sloan Peterson" after Ferris Bueller’s girlfriend. That would have seemed a little more appropriate considering the 80’s heart that beats behind their 90’s guitar. Either way, what’s in a name, as some hack once said.
They gained a record deal by slipping their demo into the tape player at a party held at Cherrydisc Records, who went on to be swallowed up by Roadrunner Records. A short EP, and some major touring later, they released New Parade to strong across the board reviews. Comparisons with British bands seem to flow through every single review, The Smiths, Radiohead, U2 (Irish), Stereophonics and the brilliant Belle and Sebastian are all quoted. This is illustrious territory to be living in, unfortunately it is also a neighborhood they are several albums away from reaching. New Parade hums with talent and skill, but it also shows too much of its naiveté and roots. Of course there is a whole generation of American music buyers who have no idea who Belle and Sebastian or Stereophonics are, and who have little concept of exactly who The Smiths and 80’s era U2 were, and why they were so damn important. I have a feeling if I had not lived so vividly through this era myself; I would have gained more from this album.
That said, this is still a fine debut which show enough glimpses of originality to bode well for the future. Gene were a lot more blatant than this when they started, Radiohead had to live down claims that they were just trying to be U2, even a little band named The Beatles didn’t start of with Sgt. Pepper. Sometimes the best bands grow out of referencing their inspirations, and then take them to a higher level.
Highly recommended to those who miss the British Bedsit bands, or those who missed them.

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