I don't like Stereophonics. No seriously- I really don't like Stereophonics. Totally. With a passion. Unrelentingly. I DO NOT LIKE STEREOPHONICS.
Okay I admit they have managed to come up with two decent songs. The fast one- "A Thousand Bartenders Pick A Part Of A Tramps Vest" I think it was called. And the slow one- "Hurry Up And Just Look At The Traffic"- or something like that. But really, come on- 8 years, 4 albums, 49 songs, but only 2 tunes. It's not really good enough is it?
And then there's Kelly Jones. A man whose voice is only beaten on the annoyance scale by his constant whinging and sense of injustice. "Mr. Writer why don't you tell it like it really is?" Kelly, I've news for you- they were sugar-coating it my friend. If they'd told it completely how it really is you'd have slit your wrists long since (Oi- which sick f**ker just said "Damn those benevolent hacks"? That's really not very nice. He's somebody's son!)
So from that balanced, unbiased perspective I approached this latest release. I'll be honest and say that
even before the first listen I was worried. Preceding single Dakota had already reached number one in the hit parade and I'd quite liked it. I hadn't wanted too, but I had. I'd enjoyed the American road-music style during the verses and the way the choruses upped the pace further while Kelly kept singing "Made me feel like the one" over and over, ending with him urging us to "Take a look at me now."
It got me thinking- was this track chosen as the first single because the message was that we should judge this work on it's merits, and not be influenced by past prejudices? Maybe. I don't know. But it does seem appropriate. Anyway I decided to give it a go…
At this point I should mention that all the song titles are just one word only. Again, after some of the epics in the past, is this another way of getting us to forget our preconceptions? It certainly serves to give the record some immediacy even before you hear it.
Opening track Superman is a gritty, bluesy, slow burner. At first it seems like it's just yet another whiney complaint from Jones. "You don't know what it's been like, meeting someone like you." he protests. But it's actually far darker. Yes it's an attack, but on who? Journalists again? Sacked drummer Stuart Cable? Who knows? Whoever it is they'd better be worried. This isn't a casual swipe, it's genuinely menacing. "You gotta mouth but you ain't got guts. That drunken mouth you should keep it shut." I'd watch out if I were you, whoever you are.
Doorman is rockier, faster and yet more shooting from the lip. Although this time there's no debate- it's a straight shot at said bouncer. With guitar riffs straight from Led Zep (and that's "Rock And Roll" Zep, not the overblown pretentious garbage) Kelly strikes with "Well suck my banana, suck it with cream." before viciously repeating the threat "'Cause all I wanna do is get closer to you, 'cause all I wanna do is make a mess out of you." to finish.
All the way through this album is dirty, powerful and threatening. And for once Kelly's voice is perfect for the music. Devil highlights this again. "So be my devil baby, be my shooting star." sung elsewhere might seem almost sweet. However here with grunge laden guitars and a debauched vocal track it feels filthy. This ain't a love song oh no, it's a sin song.
It's not all 90s Seattle though (albeit at times that's a pretty good reference point.) Rewind questions the choices made throughout a lifetime. Are you happy? Would you make the same decisions? "Rewind your life. Would you change your life? Today?" It's intelligent and thought-provoking. And musically a 2nd cousin to U2's Bad- which can only be a positive.
Of course there are weaker moments. Girl is a little too close to old school 'phonics for comfort, whilst Lolita, despite the potential in the title, is a bit lightweight and doesn't really go anywhere.
Thankfully though the album avoids tailing off. Deadhead picks up the pace again and rolls along like the Pumpkins cover The Bravery forgot to record. Whilst final track Feel builds and builds and builds to a point where it simply has to stop before it explodes and takes the entire room, nay building, with it. A wonderful climax to a captivating album.
So where does that leave me and my feelings towards the band. Am I now a convert? Do I take it all back? Could I now even be called (whisper it quietly) a fan?
Well with regard to this release I certainly could. However, one overriding problem with Stereophonics remains and it's the reason I still can't fully take to them. If they were always capable of making music this engaging why did they insist on inflicting nearly a decade of breathtaking dross on us?
Even with this remarkable release we must never forget, we can never forgive.
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Good review, although I quite liked the album. To answer your question 'Why haven't they done it earlier?' You don't want to peak too soon, I mean look at the Cheeky Girls, one chart-stormer song and where are they now?! lol
Champ666 14.04.2005 15:17
I would still rather stuff seaming horse poo into my ears
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 14th, 2005
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