(Drawing) Rings Around the World

by

Super Furry Animals

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You know, with this release and the last couple Gorky's Zygotic Mynci albums, I'm starting to suspect (nay, hope) that the best, and most influential, pop music right now is coming from strange Welsh bands with brilliant names. Not only is RINGS AROUND THE WORLD a teriffic album, it's arguably the best new album I've heard in a very long time (maybe since Sigur Ros). Everything about this album is great, from the production to the vocals to the pop culture references, to the songs themselves, it's all top-notch.

The most intriguing thing about this album is the way it combines so many different influences, from so many different genres, and makes it all sound both unique, and perfectly natural. Beyond the obvious Beatle/Beach Boys nods, I pick up references to Elvis Costello, Beck, Neil Young, Harry Nillson, the entire Stax catalogue, the list goes on and on. Basically, any semi-popular, semi-influential band in the last 30 years seemed to make an impression on this band, and they turn up here in various ways, sometimes within one song ("Receptacle For The Respectable," for instance, opens with a bouyant 1964-era Beatle romp, then slows things down to a nice mid-70's Elton John ballad, takes a brief excursion into "Cool Cool Water"-era Brian Wilson-- complete with Sir Paul McCartney munching on veggies-- before finally bringing it home with Chemical Brothers-esque sonic textures and a bit of Korn grumbling), and the effect is both staggering and really, really neato.

The lyrics are a treat as well, usually inventive wordplays ("You came to me in piece, and you left me in pieces"), a couple very nasty turns ("Don't try me for sympathy; I don't feel sorry for thee; You deserve to die"), and really interesting takes on religious fanatacism ("Run Christian Run," a somewhat cynical tome set to a tune that's pure Pink Floyd) and even the whole Monica Lewinsky debacle ("Presidential Suite"). There are a few moments when the music does get rather cheesy ("Juxtaposed With U" has some nice lyrics but the melody is quite gewwy), but by and large this is a remarkably consistent album. The second CD of bonus tracks is great to, icing on an already gourmet cake.

So, in other words, I really reccommend this one! You won't be disappointed, unless you're expecting something like Radiohead, which this isn't (it's better, frankly), or if you're not really into impossibly catchy ear candy with substance. There's nothing really new here, and other bands have attempted this before, but one thing's for sure-- these guys got it right.

This is the first SFA album i ever bought, and it pretty much ruled my summer. The entire album is entertaining, but Sidewalk Surfer Girl is my favorite. A lot of the songs are just silly, but backed by very interesting electronic music. I give the album 3 stars. The bonus disc is another story, though. The best songs, Tradewinds, Edam, All the Sh*t U do, are there. If these songs had replaced some of the weaker tracks on the album, i'd have a hard time not giving it a 5-star-classic status. With all the good tracks broken up, though, the experience is somewhat less enjoyable. But just like their amazing follow up, Phantom Power, only The Flaming Lips can out-do this kind of cool electronic pop.