Reviewed by Rupert Loydell

Deacon Blue are joining a host of other bands in the reinvention game, and for 'Whatever You Say...' have turned to a production team to change their sound, adopting (like others) the U2-esque semi-collage method of dance music, grandiose songs and sonic interruption/layering. It works well on songs like the hit single "Your Town", but elsewhere the actual songs (always Deacon Blue's strongpoint; even if they were bombastic stadium anthems at heart, touting 'faith', 'love' and 'hope' as buzzwords) are lost. Ricky Ross must realise that his tunes and words are the key to the band's success and let them speak for themselves. Here he's trying too hard to be hip and, whilst nowhere near as dire as the appalling cover art would suggest, this isn't a particularly enjoyable or memorable affair