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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
After all the criticism that went with the last long player (was it a 'proper Wonder Stuff album' or just a Miles Hunt project with the Stuffies badge badly sewn on etc), this outing sees the four official members bedding down and delivering something that amounts to at least a partial 'return to form'.
From the rousing opening number, 'Tricks of the Trade', it's clear that this is more the result of a band pulling in the same direction again and sharing ideas as a unit but still with the unmistakeable Hunt hallmarks. The first half of the album barely hits a duff note; standout tracks in the form of the aforementioned opener, the first single 'Blah Blah La Di Dah', the punchy 'Say it Ain't So' and the gorgeous, reflective 'The Sun Goes Down on Manor Road' invoke thoughts of "Stuffies classics in the making". These tracks could be from any era really and are bound to feature in setlists for a while to come, sitting perfectly amongst the old favourites. Tricks of the Trade and Manor Road especially, are about as infectious as anything they have ever done. In a nutshell, it starts off sounding like a Wonder Stuff album should (it's mixed better than the last one too): lyrics and tunes up to scratch (Angelica Maybe is a minute or two too long perhaps, but patience folks - Miles has another story to tell), a fuller sound (helped by Erica Nockalls' excellent violin playing) and you find yourself asking if the second half of the album can get any better!
The answer, sadly, is no. Much of what is left isn't up to the standard of the first few tracks; even though they do improve with repeated listens, there isn't quite the musical exhileration and bite of the opening barrage of songs. Even the great albums contain the odd filler but perhaps the tracklisting could have been slightly better? It's a minor gripe, all things considered as - on the whole - this is better than anything Mr Hunt and co have delivered in absolutely ages! Many early reports (talking about actual fans, not two-bit industry hacks) summed it up that there's something for everyone on this album. That's not far off the mark.
The best way to approach this album, however, is as the first proper offering from the Wonder Stuff as they are now; with the 'new boys' Mark and Andres as much a part of the group as old hands Miles and Malc; all mucking in and making this better than a lot of the rubbish out there. Many bands would take twice as long to come up with something half this good. So, this time, accept it - this IS The Wonder Stuff. And they're sounding pretty great to me. Maybe the definitive Stuffies album is still yet to come...
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Well, the second album from the reformed Stuffies... the headline news is that they (or rather Miles perhaps) are returning to Wonder Stuff form rather than an extension of Miles' solo work (which definitely has its highlights but a generally different feel). More good news is that Miles seems to be finding his cynicism rather than the increasing bitterness that had been marking previous outings.
This album itself is not perfect, it does tail off towards the end but there are plenty of "proper" Wonder Stuff tracks to get your teeth into (Tricks of the Trade, Blah Blah are immediate stand outs).
Overall, it's not quite up there with Hup, Never Loved Elvis or Groove Machine but it's a superb fourth place!
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Anyone who listened to Escape From Rubbish Island as I did may have got a sinking feeling when first playing Suspended by Stars.
But it didn't take long for that feeling to be replaced by smiles, this album marks a return to form.
As others have said songs like 'Blah Blah...' 'Tricks of the Trade' and my 2 favourites 'We Hold Each Other Up' and 'Last Second of the Minute' are just classic Wonder Stuff songs.
If you've had any interest the the band before, buy this album.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
come on stuffies fans
hey no review for this very good wonderstuff album. the usual quality songwriting from miles hunt,the popular choice and say it aint so are as good as the classics.
Published 7 months ago by kingstingwing
the musical shorthand of genres and labels are redundant
On the 19th March 2006, The Wonder Stuff turn 20. Twenty years ago the world was a very different place. Read more
Published on 29 Jun 2007 by Mr. M. A. Reed
Classic Wonder Stuff
This is the Wonder Stuff at their best, with a set of catchy tunes that hook you straight away. Tricks OF The Trade is a great opener, but my favourite tracks are 'Angelica Maybe'... Read more
Published on 10 May 2006 by Steve Horsfall - Author / Writer
Suspended by Stars
This album is simply the best the band has produced.
Every band member has a huge muiscal talent. - There are No weak links here ! Read more
Published on 17 Mar 2006
Solid but not up to the Stuffies standard
On it's own terms, this is a good solid rock record. At first I thought most of the songs were unremarkable (and I still think about 30% of the CD is pretty unremarkable) but... Read more
Published on 9 Mar 2006
timewarp
Listening to this album made me feel like I had stepped back in time to an alternate 1996 in which the stuffies didn't call it a day at the phoenix festival. Read more
Published on 1 Mar 2006 by genejoke
Quality
Wow!!! I really wasn't expecting much of this album, i had read some great reviews but i thought Miles must have sent the reviewers a bottle of whisky each. Read more
Published on 28 Feb 2006 by Olipop
The Real Description For You All
Product Description:
Suspended By Stars is the most definitive Wonder Stuff album to date. Written by the whole band, this album has the rawness of Eight Legged Groove... Read more
Suspended By Stars is the most definitive Wonder Stuff album to date. Written by the whole band, this album has the rawness of Eight Legged Groove... Read more
Published on 17 Jan 2006 by Mr Devant
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