How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Outstanding
Value for Money
Excellent
Advantages:
A winding epic masterpiece
Disadvantages:
Some may find it a little obscure and inaccessible
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
After the break-up of Creation records in 1999, it was generally assumed that the Super Furry Animals would disappear into obscurity. Their previous three ablums, although selling well, never really held any mainstream appeal. From the outside, things seemed bleak for their hardcore base of loyal fans.
However, in 2000, it was announced that Sony (who had held a large stake in Creation) would be taking the band on via their subsidiary, Epic. This was tremendous news, as it meant that the band could focus on their music and the budget for their next album would be significantly larger than anything they had done before. Big production beckoned...
We were not disappointed. In 2001, "Rings Around The World" was released simultaneously on CD and DVD - a world's first, and what an album it was...
The higher quality of production hits you from the start with the sweeping soundscapes of "Alternate Route To Vulcan Street" and the bizarre techno/punk amalgam "Sidewalk Serfer Girl". It is immediately clear that the band have taken their experimental ambition of the past and moved to new, almost subversive places.
The lyrical feel of the album is that of a brave new world, dominated by the paradox of instant worldwide communication removing the warmth and humanity of interpersonal connection. This is expressed through musings on such topics as organised religion ("Run, Chrisitian, Run!") and the Clinton affair ("Presidential Suite"). This was a new direction for the SFA, whose previous lyrical efforts were more amusing, light-hearted and surreal.
This is most clear on the beautiful "Receptacle for the Respectable", a song about both the break up of a personal relationship and disenchantment with the US government ("It took a long time for me to get over...your incredible ways"). This track, for me, is the highlight of the album and is an example of the Super Furry Animals at their creative best. Interestingly, this song features a cameo by Paul McCartney, reprising his role as percussive celery-mucher (really!) that he originally performed on the Beach Boys track "Vegetables".
Nearly every musical style you can think of is represented somewhere within this album. From the luscious soul grooves of "Juxtaposed With U" (originally written as a duet with Brian Harvey, which he foolishly turned down), to country/hardcore techno ("No Sympathy") - this is an album of the highest inventiveness and quality. It really is a must buy for fans of British music. It gets better with every listen, as new themes and concepts are revealed to the listener. Nearly every word in this masterpiece has a double meaning. For a band whose first language is Welsh, this is quite an achievement.
Commercially, it has been the most successful SFA release to date, reaching #2 in the album charts.
They really raised the bar with this one, and it was already pretty damned high...
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How does it rate alongside the competition
Outstanding
Cover / Inlay Design and Content
Good
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their most staggeringly ambitious work to date. Featuring everything from Status Quo-style boogie-rockers to technofied drill & bass meltdowns--and even, on the DV...
