You Gotta Go There to Come Back (Sunday Times Version)

by

Stereophonics

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This album is a must for any one who loves the Stereophonics or any one who likes Oasis, Faces, Black Crowes, Humble Pie or Ocean Colour Scene. Kelly Jones has proven once again that he's the best British songwriter in the traditional rock genre right now, and with this album he's stretched his legs to expand a bit. The guys still rock as hard as ever, and the Faces/Black Crowes/Humble Pie elements are as fresh and original as they are gritty and soulful. The softer, folksy songs are even more beautifully woven than on their previous records. These are songs that are meant to be heard live, and the raw, spontanious feel to the album is a refreshing change from the sterile, over-produced efforts of most cookie-cutter modern rock bands.

Help Me, Madame Helga and Jealousy are muscular, riff-driven rockers, while Maybe Tomorrow, Getaway, Climbing The Wall and Nothing Precious At All are beautiful and intelligent tunes showcasing Jones's talent for crafting thoughtful and insightful melodies and lyrics.

Unashamed of their influences, Stereophonics draw deeply and frequently from the well of 70's rock, but the results never sound dated, stolen or stale. Theirs is a thoroughly modern take on the genre, and if the first listenings don't draw you in immediately, further spins will give each tune a character and depth you'll appreciate more each time you hear them.

I'm never going to forget driving home one Friday night listening to the local public radio station and hearing the last 2 minutes of "Rainbows & Pots Of Gold." (I personally find the last minute of the song ties it together beautifully.)

The station was having a listening preview of sorts with a few of the songs to celebrate the release of the album and it was my first time ever hearing these guys.

However, the song that had me thinking that I needed to get this album was "I Miss You Now." Am I the only one who finds this song to be incredibly sexy?

Overall this album is pretty good, but I don't have the right to compare it to other Stereophonics albums. The standouts for me are: "Maybe Tomorrow," "I'm Alright (You Gotta Go There To Come Back)," and the two songs that I previously mentioned.