David Holmes - 'The Holy Pictures' (Mercury) Released 08/09/08

'The Holy Pictures' forms David Holmes fourth solo endeavour, and as such is his slowest in gestation. The story really began when his Mother passed away over ten years ago, and he's fashioned an album that documents his Belfast upbringing and the years of love, loss, friendship and family hence. It's a visceral album at times with an exhilarating love of motorik beats that are looking so de rigeur, as well as the more introverted and personal ruminations that form the quieter moments. Martin Rev of Suicide is enlisted for vocal duties, and luminaire Jon Hopkins and Leo Abrahams form collaborations.  

Sod slashing the seats, let's bust up the popcorn stand! Song-based tracks feature with the Neu! motorik beats and ringing synths of the throbbing opener 'I Heard Wonders' with spacey vocals from Martin Rev on a tequila shooter of a party tune, while 'Love Reign Over Me' comes over as early Primal Scream-lite without the killer krunch, and 'Kill Her With Kindness' waivers in a semi-conscious dream-like state as dis-embodied vocals hover in a bass dressing-gown. The title track 'The Holy Pictures', however, is Holmes love of a dancefloor with cinematic japes as LCD Soundsystem meets Eno's Roxy Music meets Blondie on a throbbin' space-rock bullet train fancy.

An altogether different direction is taken for the broody 'Story Of The Ink', as tensile guitars and fluttering xylophone form mulling soundscapes, and the synth swathes of 'Theme/I.M.C.' play the cinematic trump card of chord progression and ambiance. 'Melanie' comes cruising with chromium plated bumpers as The Cure collides with motorik beats and kryptonite synths, and a Robin Guthrie/Harold Budd-like ambiance permeates the piano dream-scape of 'Hey Maggie' with an affecting contrast. Though, not as complete as the Micheal Nyman-esque piano fugue of the closer 'The Ballad Of Sarah and Jack', an obvious ode to his parents and like a score to a collective family photo album.

Altogether more fulfilling than Spiritualised's 'Song's In A&E', 'The Holy Pictures' marries the cinematic experience groomed from movie scores for Code 46 and the Ocean's 11/12/13 series with the dancefloor bite of Holmes's DJing. It's a gratifying album from a prolific artist, and a sop for his forthcoming work.