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48 of 52 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Armageddon coming down, 28 Jun 2005
I'm not going to mention how much certain tracks sound like previous Supergrass songs as a band sounding like itself is to be expected, but I reckon the boys have been listening to a lot (by which I mean A LOT) of group and solo Beatles albums since Life On Other Planets.Tales Of Endurance (Parts 4, 5 and 6) Starts off like a slow acoustic overture-sounding piece (making me think "concept album?"), moves into a second (part 5?) short jazzy piece, then morphs into a slow bluesy rocker with a killer riff. (What is that riff? It really reminds me of something, but I can't bring it to mind). Nice. Very nice. St. Petersburg Piano, acoustic guitar, jazzy drums. Builds up in to a sweeping ballad with a hint of strings. I can see this being a single (and a hit). It's incredibly infectious, immediately catchy, and I can't stop singing it. Lovely stuff. Perfect pop like this is the reason why I reckon Supergrass are the best band of the last decade or more. Quite simply, no one else is this good. Sad Girl This is a bit of a grower. Very, very Beatles sounding (White Album era). I didn't notice anything special about this song on first listen, but on second listen it gets in under the psyche and, sure enough, it's another pop masterpiece. Roxy The longest track on the album. Classic Supergrass catchy chorus. Unusual tempo changes (did someone mention The Beatles?) and Gaz singing very sweetly before it goes off into an extended jam with strings, bass and synthy swirls prominent in the mix, before building into a late Beatles psychedelic breakdown a-la A Day In The Life. Will be killer live. Coffee In The Pot The shortest track on the album. An instrumental latin dance swing number interspersed with the lads singing "Oi!". Lovely, slightly out of tune, guitar sound. Finishes far too soon. My second favourite after St. Petersburg. If this doesn't end up being used as the theme tune for a British TV show (maybe it already is?) I'll be very surprised. Road To Rouen The title track is a straight-out rocker. Yet another killer riff with a funky baseline. Definitely meant to be played and appreciated in its fullness live. Kick In The Teeth Begins with a killer riff that sounds like the near cousin of Day Tripper. Catchy as all hell and another one that will have the crowd jumping when it's played live. Low C An acoustic number with infectious almost honky-tonk piano. Sounds like something John Lennon and George Harrison might have done together after they'd gone solo (what a shame that never happened). Poppy, catchy tune. Sweet. Fin Gorgeous Spanish-sounding guitar intro and an also a Lennonesque song. Lovely. Overall the album is a departure from previous efforts with the lads being adventurous and experimental without losing that essential Supergrass ear for a catchy tune with a great hook. There's only a couple of real rockers, but those that do rock will become live favourites, I'm sure. The pop tunes, especially St. Petersburg, are up to their usual very high standard. If oasis can make a career out of ripping-off The Beatles then I reckon a brilliantly original band like Supergrass have earned the right to pay tribute (by re-interpretation) to the fab four. Great album.
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