Just Enough Education To Perform - Stereophonics > Reviews > Phonics Ahoy

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Average
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Average
Value for Money

Advantages:	classic phonics
Disadvantages:	maybe not their best

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

'J.E.E.P' (Just Enough Education to Perform) is the Stereophonics third album following 'Word Gets Round' and 'Performance and Cocktails'. It was to originally be entitled 'Jeep' but the DaimlerChrysler lawyers said they couldn't name it after their 4-wheel drive motors.

My album also came with a decent multimedia section which features acoustic video performances of ‘Lying In The Sun’ and ‘Step On My Old Size Nines’. It also incldued a six minute video clip of the band talking about the making of the album and features the Songplayer tuition software for ‘Mr Writer'.

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Track-by-Track
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1. Vegas Two Times (4:29) -

This one starts off with gospel singers and I wonder if I'm listening to the Stereophonics. About 53 seconds in I hear some guitars and then drums. This is it, good riffs, loud and lively rockin' stuff.
This track was inspired by their trip to the US and is a great start to the album.

2. Lying In The Sun (4:30) -

This is a calming track that flows well and is based around the experiences of the group on a trip to Portugal, whereby they saw a tramp on a Portuguese street, his face was deformed and they gave him some money. This song is basically about how lucky most people are. For me this is the worst track on the album and far too dreary. The message behind it is admirable though.

3. Mr. Writer (5:19) -

This is the first single which was a top 10 hit. At first I hated this track but it grows on you very quickly and now it's one of my faves.
The track is about the media and how they think they can make or break you - Unfortunately they seem to be able to a lot of the time.
It has a nice rocky sound while maintaining a relaxing style.

4. Step On My Old Size Nines (4:00) -

This track is apparently a true story about an old couple - the woman said that her feet
were too tired to dance anymore, so her partner said 'step on my old size nines and I'll take you round'.
It's another ballady sounding track, with bluesy guitar sounds, a wurlitzer and great harmonies.

5. Have A Nice Day (3:25) -

This is the second single from the album and another excellent track. It is based on the story of a journey through San Francisco
in a taxi, listening to the cabbie's chatter about 'corporate communism'. It's a fast flowing track with wide appeal, great lyrics and tune. It also has an infectious rhythm with blues sounds and acoustic guitar. Great.

6. Nice To Be Out (3:08) -

This is the shortest track on the album and another melodic and mellow tune. It was written in January 1999 and was the B-side on the 'Pick A Part That's New' single (from the Performance And Cocktails album). It's odd in the sense that it has no chorus just
several verses. It is about the picture of an old couple sat on a park bench recalling their memories whilst watching the world go by. Nothing special but still a good track.

7. Watch Them Fly Sundays (3:29) -

This is another slower number but with loud bass and a heavy but slow beat. This one is about a couple being caught in their
same old routine that they think life is great but in reality it's not. This was written in June 1999 and starts off bold but soon calms down and begins to flow into a peaceful and pleasant track.

8. Everyday I Think Of Money (3:24) -

This track bears a huge resembalance to 'I Stopped To Fill My Car Up' on 'Performance and Cocktails' in terms of beat and guitar chords. It tells a story about a security truck driver and his failed plot to steal the money and his regrets of the incident. It's a great track and one you can keep listening to over and over.

9. Maybe (4:34) -

This is a pretty average track in my opinion and resembles many tracks from previous albums. The sounds in this track are great though from piano's and other instruments.

10. Caravan Holiday (3:12) -

This is one of the slowest tracks and is inspired by a caravanning holiday and it's raining all week. This is probably one of the weak links in a very good album.

11. Rooftop (6:18) -

This is the longest track on the album and a great one at that, with feedback guitar and lots of harmonica sounds. This song is about a man who is contemplating jumping off the top of a high building. A very good track and one of my faves on the album.

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Overall, this is a high quality album that should attract new listeners to the Stereophonics. There is enough on here to keep all fans happy although maybe it could have been a bit rockier. It mainly has slower tracks on it and thus I prefer 'Performance and Cocktails'. I would say I perfer it to 'Word Gets Around' though. Apart from a couple of weak tracks it's a great album and I suggest you go out and buy it.

Overall Mark - 8/10