The Rabbit's Hat was a band that has released a batch of great albums: The Sun Broke Through, The Magician, In Optic Mansions, and Take Good Care to name but a few. Many elements and icons from these halcyon days can be found on Five, and yet the very essence of Census has been retained. Whilst it's true that the dreamier aspects of the ambient and soundscapes that segue most of the songs on the first four albums isn't as obvious on Five. We're treated, instead, to more structured songs and for want of a better description, not quite as ethereal. Indeed, the pentagram ('five' pointed star) on the cover highlights the fact that there's been an exorcism, and doesn't denote any links to devil worship, or death metal! The lyrics come from Tim and Terri-B, allowing them to inject more of their personality, more of their concerns, resulting in a better gestalt with the music, the songs are sharper, more focussed. And because the lyrics are written by the main 'team', it allows for more feeling and depth; songs such as Father's Day, Earth Song and Music From The Heart are fine examples.
Yes, Five 'is' different from the previous four albums, for a start, Martin Holder's inspired guitar work is more than evident on songs such as The General Erection, Death Row, Spiral Arms, Ducks and Where Will I Be. Because the exorcism was successful in casting out many demons we have deeper and more complex structures to the songs, both lyrically and musically, and this is where the new strength of Census lies. They still have lots of humour in their music, plenty of great musical dexterity and a seemingly bottomless well of songs, but what makes Five that little bit special is that it's more sharply defined.
by Dave W. Hughes - The Modern Dance Magazine