After more than four years of waiting, Van Dik Hout returns in 2011 with a new studio album. The radio silence after Alles Waar Ik Nooit Begon (2007) was filled with an anniversary edition of the band's debut and a live album. After more than fifteen years of making music, the group still has a loyal fan base, which every year results in a sold out Paradiso. The same routine can be heard on Leef !,
… a typical Nederpop album. Over the years there has been a lot of complaints about the pseudopoetic character of Martin Buitenhuis's lyrics. Again, critics can dip their pens in vinegar again. The question is whether that is fair, since no one would notice if the singer concealed his typical imagery in English. Because the lyrics are intelligible, they sometimes sound a bit artificial. This also applies to production. The use of reverb and delay gives the songs a great dramatic character รก la Keane or Coldplay. This does not always suit the style of the band. Because of this, Live! nothing more than a nice continuation of a good career. (JE)more