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Product Description
Review
Stereophonics have always inspired partisan feelings. Their detractors loathe their meat-and-potatoes attitude to making music, seeing them as little more than pub musicians who struck it lucky. Dedicated fans, on the other hand, take delight in the passionate songs of Kelly Jones. There's never been much of a middle ground.
Evolution not revolution has always been Stereophonics modus operandi. Over the course of their career, they've never been ones to rock the boat, choosing instead to steadily refine their songs and production. They've also edged ever closer to American radio rock, presumably in a naked attempt to break that market.
However, You Gotta Go There To Come Back, the band's fourth album, is being heralded by some to be as good as their debut Word Gets Around. And while it shares much of the intimate charm of that record, this is an altogether slicker affair.
Produced by Kelly Jones, the album delves even further into his beloved 70s songbooks. In addition to the weather-worn AC/DC signposts, there are nods to Stevie Wonder, Creedence Clearwater and The Isley Brothers. And, in the opening easy funk of "Help Me (She's Out Of Her Mind)", Jones achieves a rough approximation of Lennon's "Cold Turkey" vocals. 'Rough' clearly being the operative word there.
Future single "Maybe Tomorrow" follows, featuring the smooth guitar from the Isleys' Summer Breeze and melds it onto a gently driving radio-friendly rhythm.
The album's highpoint, however, is the closing "Since I Told You It's Over". A slightly countrified epic ballad that ends just a little too soon, by some stretch it's the best thing Stereophonics have done in years.
Still, it's not all high notes in the Kelly Jones canon. Nobody in their right mind would want to listen more than once to the dreary "I'm Alright (You Gotta Go There To Come Back)" or "I Miss You Now". Likewise, "You Stole My Money Honey" is seemingly a bold attempt to string as many musical clichés as possible into one song. They do well with it.
Similarly, "Climbing The Wall" appears to be a sundrenched West Coast guitar ramble, of which the most remarkable thing is the couplet: 'I'm just standing here looking at myself again, I'm going blind/I'm just sitting here playing with myself again - it's turning me on'. Really, Kelly, do we need to be told?
While Stereophonics have never been the most musically adventurous band, thankfully, they seem to be moving away from the blandness they've always been slightly guilty of. Against the odds, You Gotta Go There To Come Back is a record that goes somewhere to finally justifying Stereophonics' success. It's a sturdy piece of work, one which will be lapped up by their fans. It might even make a few friends along the way too. Rock on.
Review courtesy of BBC Wales Music --Jack Smith
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Product Description
STEREOPHONICS You Gotta Go There To Come Back (2003 UK New Version 14-track CD including Moviestar which was not on the original release picture sleeve VVR1026342)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
But it's still a great album! You can actually get the re-release with an extra DVD with the videos for 'Madame Helga', 'Maybe Tomorrow', 'Since I Told You...' and 'Moviestar'. That might be more interesting to buy for fans who already have the album...That's what I did :)
I am a huge Stereophonics fan so ofcourse I love their album... But I also have a very broad taste in music. That might be why I think this is the BEST album from the band. I have been a fan since 'Word Gets Around'. Ofcourse I loved their raw rock style on both WGA and P&C, and their small town lyrics. That is definitely one of Kellys strong points as a songwriter.
With that said. I would be really dissapointed with a repeat of WGA or P&C for every new album. Wouldn't you?
With the 'JEEP' album they did change their style. They've just carried that on to the 'You Gotta Go...' album.
Ofcourse they'll change. They're older, have seen a lot of the world. A whole lot of new experiences. They probably get influenced by new music like everyone else. That's why I don't like comparing new albums with old ones, not with any band or artist...
Some of my favorites on 'You Gotta Go...' is 'Maybe Tomorrow' wich I fell in love with the first time I heard it. 'Rainbows and Pots of Gold', there's just something about that song that touches me. 'I'm Alright' have the same feel to it.
'I Miss You Now' are one of my favorites. Could've been even better with more blues influenced piano I think. Maybe hired in Jools Holland for the piano part :) 'Nothing Precious at All' is more like the earlier Phonics lyrically. Where Kelly is making up a whole story about this girl working in the coffee shop. A bit like 'Traffic' really. I also like the rockier stuff like 'Madame Helga', 'High as the Ceiling' and 'Jealousy'. Great songs. 'Help Me (She's Out of Her Mind)' is a bit too long for me. It's an OK song but could have been shortened down a bit. There's not a song I don't like on the album. But we all have our favorites...
'Moviestar' is absolutely brilliant. Went crazy about it the first time I heard it. Showing even another new direction for the band.
Makes me look forward to their next album.
'You Gotta Go There...' is a very '70s influenced album with some modern touhces to it. And like the music critics always say. "It's all been done before." But haven't most of the music out there now been done before?
Stereophonics! People love them, people hate them, and some just don't care. Most of the music critics don't have much good to say about them... But overall does it really matter?
The band still have a lot of fans. Some new ones, some old ones. But they are one of the better rock bands out there and a killer live band!
And remember, everone can't have the same taste in music. How boring would that be...?
So I end this review by saying A GREAT ALBUM BY A GREAT BAND in my humble opinion :)
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Let me start by saying that not everyone is going to like this album. My friend who has seen the Phonics more than any other band doesn't like this album. If you're looking for a hard rocking, easy to listen to album, then this probably isn't the album for you, maybe try the Vines first album instead.
This is a very different album to Word gets Around, slower, more melancholy but with subtle touches that make it suberb. Almost every song builds up in some way, an extra instrument added in each verse, a slight change in tempo, or an extra tension in Kelly's voice.
Stand out tracks, for me at least, are Getaway, Jealousy, I'm Alright (Absolutely brilliant track, full of mood and emotion) and Since I told you its Over. The only downside to this album are the lyrics to some of the songs, they can make you cringe a little. "Sitting here playing with myself again/ It's turning me on" and "I'll make another pound for you/ so you can drive your motor car/ and drive you to the moon" and a few other examples. Not overwhelmingly bad, just not great to sing along to!
I bought this album when it came out, and whilst I haven't listened to it non stop, its certainly is one of the most played albums I own.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I think alot of people don't give this album a second chance. For me the first time I listened to it I thought it was rubbish, but I perserviered and after a few more listens I loved this album.
Songs like 'Help Me', 'Madame Helga', 'Getaway', 'I'm Alright (You Gotta Go There To Come Back)', 'Rainbows And Pots Of Gold' and 'High As The Ceiling' are fantastic songs and I'd say they are some of the best Stereophonics songs to date.
Yes there are a few week tracks 'I Miss You Now', 'Jealousy' and thanks to the reissued version 'Movie Star' but they're far out numbered by cracking tracks.
The design is great too, often with Stereophonics albums the artwork isn't brilliant. I would advise any Stereophonics fan to get this great album.
Songs like 'Help Me', 'Madame Helga', 'Getaway', 'I'm Alright (You Gotta Go There To Come Back)', 'Rainbows And Pots Of Gold' and 'High As The Ceiling' are fantastic songs and I'd say they are some of the best Stereophonics songs to date.
Yes there are a few week tracks 'I Miss You Now', 'Jealousy' and thanks to the reissued version 'Movie Star' but they're far out numbered by cracking tracks.
The design is great too, often with Stereophonics albums the artwork isn't brilliant. I would advise any Stereophonics fan to get this great album.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A Very Apt Title Indeed.
The title of this album is absolutely perfect in describing both the content and the situation the band were in when this LP was released. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Mr. R. Howe
stereophonics
this is an excellent album.i like the stereophonics,and i am buying all the albums(eventually),so far i have not been dissapointed.
Published 20 months ago by Mr. J. M. Markham
Blood Guns and Speed.
Wales have alway had good rock and pop music over the years.But the one that stick's out in my mind has to be Phonics next too the Manics. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Mr. N. Fraser
One of my favourite albums ever.
'My favourite albums ever' contains around 200 albums so don't be suprised that this is up there. Well lets get down to it, it's a stunning album unlike their 3rd there's no filler... Read more
Published on 5 Aug 2007 by Scarhurzt
Outstanding.
This album is awesome, I love "Madam Helga" and "Maybe Tommorrow" is easily on of their best songs, why the heak did they stoop too such a low level with "Language"? Read more
Published on 15 May 2007 by Paul
Great Hard Rockin album
Personally i luv this album, now the earlier stuff was average to good at best - too commercial and poppy (lyrics were a bit poor too), but i always felt they would go down the... Read more
Published on 5 Mar 2006 by Andrew Senior
NOT EVERYONE'S FAVOURITE
1) HELP ME (SHE'S OUT OF HER MIND) - not a bad beginning with a good riff and good lyrics
2) MAYBE TOMORROW - a very bright and bubbly song and very enjoyable
3)... Read more
2) MAYBE TOMORROW - a very bright and bubbly song and very enjoyable
3)... Read more
Published on 14 Mar 2005 by "indieac"
average
This cd is a good example of indie and rock music and is
a well crafted ensamble but for true phonics fans like
myself it doesnt compare to some of their earlier... Read more
a well crafted ensamble but for true phonics fans like
myself it doesnt compare to some of their earlier... Read more
Published on 14 Mar 2005 by Ms. E. L. Hargreaves
Isn't opinion a wonderful thing?
Does this really deserve only one star? No thats far too many.
This could be the worst album I've ever heard! Read more
Published on 11 Jan 2005 by "inyoureyes1313"
It's good but.......
I'm sorry, but i don't really like it, there's some good tracks (mainly the ones that were released) but it's just a little too slow and mellow for my liking. Read more
Published on 29 Oct 2004
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