SUPERGRASS SUPERGRASS (1999)
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Supergrass are one of the few British groups making pop music with no strings attached. That is not to say they are a better group than say Blur, but Supergrass have a kind of simplicity that lacks in even the best of Britpop groups.
First single Pumping on Your Stereo is a fine example. A hook ridden, Stonesesque rocker with wonderfully throwaway lyrics. (Life is a cigarette/You Smoke to the end) At first the song comes across as simple but after several listens the chorus will be ingrained into your skull forver. Opener (and second single) "Moving" opens with Gaz Coombes singing gently over some middle of the road string section about how "the days all feel the same." Then the chorus kicks in with its funky bassline and vicious guitar hooks. This is one of those rock songs that makes you want to get up and go and smash things.
The word "maturity" has been used a lot when describing this album. Sure, there is no Strange Ones, Mansize Rooster or Alright here, but personally I would never want the group stuck making punk records in 1994 a la "I Should Coco." "Shotover Hill" (a mature song) is a wonderful Kinksy ballad that is deeply affecting and What Went Wrong in Your Head? is hooky but not throwaway fluff either.
Each of these songs is beautifully structured and are all memorable in their own way. "Mary", "Beautiful People," "Jesus Came From Outer Space" and especially the Lennon-like Mickey Quinn penned "Mamma and Pappa" are all classics.
Supergrass are a rare breed of group. They make simple, perfect pop music that can be played anytime of day in any mood and do know how to make timeless music that is charming because of its simplicity.
First single Pumping on Your Stereo is a fine example. A hook ridden, Stonesesque rocker with wonderfully throwaway lyrics. (Life is a cigarette/You Smoke to the end) At first the song comes across as simple but after several listens the chorus will be ingrained into your skull forver. Opener (and second single) "Moving" opens with Gaz Coombes singing gently over some middle of the road string section about how "the days all feel the same." Then the chorus kicks in with its funky bassline and vicious guitar hooks. This is one of those rock songs that makes you want to get up and go and smash things.
The word "maturity" has been used a lot when describing this album. Sure, there is no Strange Ones, Mansize Rooster or Alright here, but personally I would never want the group stuck making punk records in 1994 a la "I Should Coco." "Shotover Hill" (a mature song) is a wonderful Kinksy ballad that is deeply affecting and What Went Wrong in Your Head? is hooky but not throwaway fluff either.
Each of these songs is beautifully structured and are all memorable in their own way. "Mary", "Beautiful People," "Jesus Came From Outer Space" and especially the Lennon-like Mickey Quinn penned "Mamma and Pappa" are all classics.
Supergrass are a rare breed of group. They make simple, perfect pop music that can be played anytime of day in any mood and do know how to make timeless music that is charming because of its simplicity.
1. Moving
2. Your Love
3. What Went Wrong
4. Beautiful People
5. Shotover Hill
6. Eon
7. Mary
8. Jesus Came From Outer Space
9. Pumping On Your Stereo
10. Born Again
11. Far Away
12. Mama & Papa
2. Your Love
3. What Went Wrong
4. Beautiful People
5. Shotover Hill
6. Eon
7. Mary
8. Jesus Came From Outer Space
9. Pumping On Your Stereo
10. Born Again
11. Far Away
12. Mama & Papa
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