So named because it collects various singles and tracks from the band's early-'90s existence,
Singularity shows that shadowy U.K. cult band Delta had their own particular ramalama classic rock-garage-psych vibe in place from the start. Which is where the collection begins, with two tracks from the group's debut EP on Che -- both "Sugared-Up" (which also concludes the collection in a demo version) and "Dealt Out" could have been released somewhere in the late '60s or among plenty of retro-crazed acts of the new millennium or many different points between, all handclaps and rave-up/strung-out solos and murky atmosphere and just droney enough singing. From there
Singularity makes its easy way, indulging in everything from post-
Byrds country/psych ("Cowboy Raga" is almost perfectly titled) and anthemic enough rockers like "Low Flying" to calmer ballads -- "Take Away My Pain" strips everything down to vocals and acoustic guitar for its short length, achieving a striking beauty. Though often accomplished, and clearly a case of the band getting better as it goes -- "Here I Am" has a great nervous rush to its arrangement and delivery in particular --
Singularity often feels a touch hidebound, perhaps reflective of it covering the group's first years of existence. It's not a question of whether the songs are modern or not, more that efforts like the
Neil Young-tinged "Make It Right" or the various nods to
the Stones or
Love or various freakbeat figures do little to expand on a previously established palette, often enjoyable but rarely thrilling. Other bands have done worse at the job, though, and anyone with a fondness in particular for groups like the Beechwood Sparks or the Summer Hits might well find something to love here -- though later albums like Slippin' Out and Hard Light could be a better place to start. ~ Ned Raggett