I'm back!! Oh and you may find some of your really really, really old reviews being rated by moi -...
I'm back!! Oh and you may find some of your really really, really old reviews being rated by moi - I have nearly 3000 old Ciao alerts that I've kept, fully intending to one day clear! I'm on it!
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'Language Sex Violence Other' is the latest album released for the critically acclaimed Stereophonics. It's no secret that I am a massive fan, and I shall attempt to persuade you non-believers into realising the sheer genius of Kelly Jones et al.
Just one snatched chord of Dakota had me rushing onto Play.com in a frenzied excitement, pre-ordering my copy, arriving on my door mat three days before its recent release.
The album cover is the first thing that struck me. The cardboard cover is a shiny black with silver text, as I have the limited edition version. Removing the cover instantly tells you of the importance of protecting this baby, the cover is a gorgeous array of colours, racing down in an horizontal stripe, begging to be opened and played for hours.
The limited edition comes with two CDs, the first is the actual album. Jam packed with eleven amazing tracks, this album's not to be sniffed at. It's not often that I put on a new CD and then play it non stop for two months straight, and this little beauty's certainly achieved that.
I once read a critic's review of Just Enough Education to perform, the band's third offering, conveying his concern that the band had not 'developed' musically. Whoever that was most probably buried alive under the number of slanders against his name, as I have never known a band to create such a different sound for each album. Comparing Just enough Education to LSVO can only employ feelings of awe and amazement directed towards Mr Jones, at how the heck he can develop and evolve his writing and musical style with each and every album. Kelly wrote every single
song on LSVO, and inside the cover sleeve you will find a little note of where inspiration struck for each track. A nice touch.
I don't plan to talk you through every song on the album - 1. That would be boring for you, and 2. It would be boring for me. So instead, I will select my favourites, and perhaps one or two that slightly disappoint, but believe me, there aren't many.
The album opens with Superman, an immediate strong contender for favourite song. The dirty guitar riff grabs you and dares you to listen as Kelly's ever gravelled, rugged, and oh so manly voice sweeps out, conveying emotion to bare his soul. This five minute introduction gives you a perfect chance to discover the new sound of the band - rougher, rockier than before. Finally returning to their rock roots. The stunning guitar solo in the third minute even impressed my brother - and he's a die hard Nirvana fan and the like. But don't get me wrong, Kelly and the gang haven't gone all heavy metal tuneless crap. The main focus is the music, complimented by Kelly's ever powerful lyrics and voice. That guy could sing for Wales.
After the slower, thoughtful pace of Superman, we immediately launch into a thrashing rhythm which could persuade even the meanest granny to nod along. My favourite line has to be 'You look like a monkey scowling at me (ooh ooh ahh ahh), well suck my banana and suck it with cream' - proving they have the power to leap out at you and make you smile, laugh, debate and think, all within the confines of eleven tracks. Doorman's chorus line has a gorgeous confused-like sound behind it, which is very difficult to explain by someone with zilch musical talent or ability. Let's just say that it has a very different sound to the rest of the song, causing you to wonder what else the Stereophonics have up their sleeves.
Brother has a similar sound to Doorman, and was written in response to an incident that happened to Kelly in London 2004. His lyrics are angry and powerful, screaming his frustration and emotion, a very fast, loud, heart racing song.
Devil has been hailed as perhaps one of the best works by the band so far. Beginning with a thoughtful, promising, soulful voice, Kelly revs it up until you're almost poised for the chorus line you know is coming, and he doesn't disappoint. Climaxing with a thrashed out stunning melody, it thunders through your veins, making every single hair on the back of your neck stand on end. The ability to switch between a sound perhaps similar to a rockier Dakota, to this amazing sound that makes you want to get up and drive a very fast, expensive car down an American freeway with it on full blast - wow. In case you hadn't guessed, I am reviewing the album whilst listening to each track in turn, and that just got to me like never before - phew!
Dakota is the track that reassured me that the band were capable of creating a follow up as good as You've Got To Go There To Come Back. Their first single from the album, it raced to the top of the charts, and deservedly so. It cleverly combines an emphasis on the melody a la Just enough Education, with a step away from the pounding guitar based instruments of previous tracks, to create a beautiful song boasting summer anthem status. This is a track appealing to the more mainstream fan base, Kelly delivering his trademark stunning voice in perfect fashion as ever, yet with a purer, cleaner style than we have witnessed so far. The song has a distinct change of mood from previous tracks, with less emphasis on their rock edge, and yet claiming it back in the chorus, creating a sound that I cannot quite find the words to describe.
Rewind is another track that stands out for me, being a slightly different style to other songs, it steps out, making me wonder if this has potential as a future single. A slightly weaker offering, it does however allow Dakota to shine in all its glory, being settled next to Rewind - fast forward to the next track!
And so we skip to Lolita - a meandering, yet powerful track that reminds you why this band are so successful in the first place. Brilliant, thought provoking, and most importantly, true lyrics, set to gorgeous music that does Kelly's words justice. How can we complain. LSVO surprises you at every turn with a different sound than we have just witnessed. The musical stories are vast and ambitious, not scared of experimenting with a varying pace, styles and instruments, and yet the signature guitar remains, if he's offering lessons I'm first in queue.
The second disk is a DVD featuring five tracks played live. Sadly there is no intro by the band, they are simply there for you to enjoy. And even better, it is set in a recording studio, no pesky screaming audience to get in the way! Stick it on and enjoy.
I cannot go without raving about 'Deadhead' - a return to a similar style to Devil - well worth a listen, with a brilliant sing along chorus. It's feel good and strong, and a surprise after the likes of Rewind and Lolita, reminding us what the Stereophonics enjoy doing most - playing their guitars.
The Stereophonics are what I would call 'proper musicians' - they love music, that is clear enough, they also love making music. They refuse to take the limelight, I have not once seen a televised interview with the band - much to my dismay. By preferring live gigs and song writing to mime along puppet shows, the Sterephonics gain many an admirer. Quiet in their incredible album sales success, they will continue to rule Britannia, and may they do so for years to come.
I paid about £11.99 for my copy, you can get the special edition on the highstreet for about £13.99, but the single disk edition is available slightly cheaper.
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Great review. I loved their Debut album, every song is superb. I hated JEEP though, really hated it, but I love this album, the Phonics back to their best. Live from Dakota is a great album as well.
Dan_ep 06.07.2006 22:40
Fantastic review! Havent actualyl heard this album all the way through. Dan.
Stereophonics' fifth album will inevitably provide more material for the band's critics, ... more
if only for the fact its title has clearly been rather lazily inspired from the back of a rental video case. The music within, however, is anything but laid-back: ...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Stereophonics' fifth album will inevitably provide more material for the band's critics, ... more
if only for the fact its title has clearly been rather lazily inspired from the back of a rental video case. The music within, however, is anything but laid-back: ...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Apr 7th, 2005
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