In which the formerly electronic trio mentored by the Stone Roses’ Ian Brown and UNKLE’s James Lavelle moves ever-deeper into traditional pop/rock territory. South’s fourth album might catch longtime fans slightly off-guard, what with the presence of actual guitars; for everyone else, however, You Are Here will pass in one ear, out the other, and find nary a resting place in between. It’s easy to see why these guys have become favorites of TV music supervisors for shows such as “Six Feet Under” and “The O.C.” – their songs make for perfect, non-intrusive background music. Aside from the album’s nifty third track, “Better Things,” You Are Here’s 13 songs make a thoroughly unconvincing case for the band. There are no obvious soft spots, but that’s only because the album never really works up enough of a sweat to draw you in – it’s just track after track of bland, middling indie pop. Maybe they should put the guitars back in storage. (LABEL: bluhammock/Young American 2008)
