Album Review: Places to Visit by Saint Etienne

Saint Etienne are beautiful. Repeatedly, consistently and achingly beautiful. After brandishing a decidedly pop wand in last year's Good Humor, Pristine chanteuse Sarah Cracknell, understated pop priestess in the vein of Diana Ross, returns with gifted nerd musicians Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs to make more of that astro-optimistic music for waxing reminiscent over good old days that never were. Here, acutely-attuned sophistication unfurls in a lazy crawl over barely-populated audio-maps of restrained infectiousness. It is an enchanting but ultimately deserted place they take you, inhabited only by a gaseous voice. This is music you always heard in your head--but never so well made. Foraying onto the micro-dancefloor, Saint Etienne enlist the expertise of Trouser Enthusiast to mix beats for your pulse in "We're in the City." Sean O'Hagan's electronic wizardry also guest-stars in "52 Pilot," lending a signature High Llamasian boost to Cracknell's tingle-worthy vocals. The album is an uncontested gem, but with its lamentably few (six!) tracks, its value lies elsewhere than its size (the album's sex appeal is only good for a half-hour). Another exclusive track, "Garage for Gunther," is available only at the b-side on the vinyl. I can imagine already how I've heard it all my life.