Just Enough Education To Perform - Stereophonics > Reviews

Advantages: Starts well, with Vegas Two Times and Mr Writer
Disadvantages: Formulaic drivel, mostly.

JEEP - now officially titled Just Enough Education to Perform, allegedly due to complaints from Chrysler (sounds like marketing hype to me...) is the new album from Stereophonics, for those who've had their head stuck in a washing machine for a few months. The album starts off quite well - the opening track (Vegas Two Times) is great and as for Mr. Writer (Track 3), well, it was the only track I knew I'd like as I bought the album. When I first ... Read review

Advantages: 2 or 3 great tracks, easy to identify with, real band with instruments who write
Disadvantages: not too easy to get into

Lets get this out in the open. I'm biased. I live 15 miles from Cwmaman and have absolutely adored the phonics since I first heard word gets around. So back to reality. I've recently read a review OF JEEP in Heat magazine and they were quite keen. This I think is a fairly valid point. Major fans of the phonics will have been waiting for this album for a while now. They will have built up extremely high hopes for it. I think some may be disappointed. ... Read review

Advantages: Amazing lyrics, great music, and that voice!
Disadvantages: First version doesn't include 'Handbags and Gladrags'

...way, almost as if he just doesn't care, which again, makes the songs extremely easy and pleasurable to listen to. The tracks on this album are: 1) Vegas Two Times 2) Lying In The Sun 3) Mr Writer 4) Step On My Old Size Nines 5) Have A Nice Day 6) Nice To Be Out 7) Watch Them Fly Sundays 8) Everyday 9) Maybe 10) Caravan Holiday 11) Rooftop Since i bought this album, they have also released another version ... Read review

Advantages: Kellys voice is amazing
Disadvantages: No jump up and down songs

The Stereophonics are a great band, perhaps the greatest ever to come out of Wales even, and although critics have dissed the new feel to their album, I really don't seem the problem. Admitedly i believe you can't get a better song than "Word gets around" or "Tramps Vest", but, bands change as so do their fans. Different experiences through age and life in general change the overall feel to a band, and how they use their talents. All people ... Read review

Advantages: No "lame" tracks
Disadvantages: Maybe not quite enough rocky tracks like the last 2 albums

...of their previous 2 albums. Just Enough Education to Perform does have slighty less rock tracks on it though and settles for a more laid-back, chilled sound. The first 2 singles "Mr Writer" and "Have a Nice Day" are typical of the sound of the album, but there aren't really any tracks which could go down as being called weak. The whole album is a really great listen with some of the other really great tracks including "Everyday i think of money", ... Read review

Advantages: Still quality songs
Disadvantages: The songs are too alike

They had a lot of hype to live up to and the long wait between albums only added to it, meaning Kelly Jones and Co. were always going to find it tough. Having themselves described it as a more mature sound, the eleven songs on the album are very much the same subdued numbers, apart from the rocky opening of Vegas Two Times and the poppy influence of future single Have A Nice Day. Just Enough Education To Perform shows that Jones’s voice hasn’t ... Read review

Advantages: The vocals of Kelly Jones - Superb
Disadvantages: Slightly 'poppy'

...these are bad songs. It's just that, in my opinion, these are not 'phonics songs and depart too far from their standard style. Then again, I don't turn them off when they come on the radio! Overall, it is another good release from the 'phonics. The album was never going to compete with the previous LPs, especially Word Gets Around. However, I feel they are now appealing to a wider audience and if that means more 'phonics songs on the airwaves, ... Read review

Advantages: song writing skills, versatility, sound, musical skills...
Disadvantages: the understainment of it.

Stereophonics, in my opinion - in this album have made that one step further in their song-writing. Kelly Jones shows he literally has "Education to Peform". I wouldn't say 'just enough', however, as I believe the album title is very understated as it does not reflect the true content of the album itself. In a way though it is refreshing to see how much it surprises you. Kelly Jones shows his edgy and softer side in the album. His gravely voice works ... Read review

Advantages: aint many, like the cover work i supppose.
Disadvantages: no way near as good as performance and cocktails or even word gets around.

I really looked forward to this album, and was left slightly disappointed by the outcome. Stereophonics best album is still perfomance and coctails despite me hoping otherwise. To put it quite simpily, this album is depressing and slow, there is no energy in any of the songs like there was in Performance and Cocktails. The best song is there first single on the album Mr Writer (Track 3) 1. Vegas Two Times 2. Lying In The Sun 3. Mr.Writer 4. ... Read review

Advantages: Good combination of tunes.
Disadvantages: A few weak links

This is the 3rd offering from the boys from Wales and I have to say at first listen it was a tad disappointing. I then listened to some other CD's ie Badly Drawn Boy etc and realised at first listen, I was being harsh. I was also comparing it to Performance & Cocktails which is truly great album and a piece of work which will draw comparison. Mr Writer is a tune that is OK but does eventually get on your nerves and it does sound a bit like the ... Read review

Advantages: well written tracks
Disadvantages: rather short

...it is rather short at just over 45 minutes. The CD however does contain an enhanced CD rom with videos of acoustic versions of 'Lying in the Sun' and 'Step on my old size Nines' together with band interviews, album lyrics and a 'Mr Writer' songplayer with tuition software. These are of excellent quality however, I do feel that it is a step in the wrong direction as far as music is concerned. I would much prefer 60 minutes of good music rather ... Read review

Advantages: Great songs, as usual from the Stereophonics, gets better each time you listen to it!
Disadvantages: The inlay card is hard to read.

I was nearly persuaded not to buy this album due to all of the bad reviews on it. I heard so many people saying that it was a poor album and not as good as their previous material. I went against the professionals and bought the album as I had really liked their first two albums, 'Word Gets Around' and 'Performance and Cocktails.' I was extremely pleased that I had gone against their opinions, as it is one of the best albums I own. I liked the extra ... Read review