Amazon.co.uk Review
A staggering seven albums into their career.
Love Kraft is glorious proof that psychedelically minded Welsh rockers Super Furry Animals still have it. Recorded in Catalonia and mixed in Rio De Janeiro for a "decadent" sound, it finds the band in slow, sensual mood, crafting long and dense walls of sound ideal for a long, hot summer.
The single, "Lazer Beam", is something of a red herring--an upbeat, funky number that sees frontman Gruff Rhys unveil his "radical new vision", which appealingly, includes the pledge "no more romantic comedies!" While the pace is generally slow, however, this is an album peppered with gems. Aliens land on the glorious "Psyclone!", which uses strings from guesting High Llamas man Sean O’Hagan to excellent effect, while the languid "Frequency" is comprised of lyrics written in what frontman Gruff Rhys refers to as "Blairspeak". Rhys gives up the microphone, however, for what turns out to be two album highlights: "Atomic Lust", which sees drummer Daf Ieuwan cooing "Let’s get our shit together" over sudden explosions of guitar and pounded, one-note piano; and guitarist Bunf’s goofy, comical "Back On A Roll". --Louis Pattison
Product Description
Love Kraft might just turn out to be the definitive Super Furry Animals album. It’s certainly the loveliest, and without doubt the one that feels most like a cohesive body of work. And therein lies a delicious paradox;
Love Kraft is the first Super Furry Animals album to feature songs written and sung by nearly all members of the group; Bunf, Daf and Cian and Gruff all contribute.
Love Kraft is immense in scope, with more than half its 12 tracks featuring swooning string arrangements (courtesy of unofficial Furry and sometime High Llama, Sean O’Hagan), as well the odd appearance from a 100-strong mixed voice Catalan choir. Strangely though, for a record that’s ended up so large, the initial "concept" was deliberately scaled back by producer Mario Caldato (Beastie Boys and the guy who mixed Phantom Power).
Love Kraft is nothing if not a sophisticated piece of work. As the seventh and ultimate (but not as in last) Super Furry Animals album, it is the sound of them growing up, with not a tank, yeti or inflatable bear in sight.
Also available in a
limited
edition.
~ Super Furry Animals
~ Super Furry Animals
~ Super Furry Animals
~ Super Furry Animals
~ Super Furry Animals
