Performance and Cocktails

With Performance And Cocktails, Stereophonics keep on their path of American-style indie grunge. The key is Kelly Jones' vocals, which never seem to falter despite the extraordinary volume, intensity and passion with which he sings. You'd think he'd be hoarse as a donkey, but no, the worst he ever gets is poignantly husky, which actually makes him sound even more sincere.

Following a formula that works, Performance And Cocktails starts off fast and energetic, even speedmetalish, before moving into more jangly territory with the likes of 'Hurry Up And Wait' and 'Pick A Part That's New'.

'Just Looking' begins mellow and philosophical, asking from whence our dreams of perfection really come, while the guitars and drums build up to a powerful chorus - one of this band's fortés.

The quality of the songs dips a little mid-album, though Kelly Jones' accompanying sleeve note for 'I Wouldn't Believe Your Radio' is amusing; in it, he relates how he woke up one morning with Ringo Starr and George Harrison singing this song in his dream, sitting on the pavement outside his parents' house.

The album rallies again towards the end, with several slow rhythmic numbers, still guitar and drum-based, tending towards the thoughtful and sad. 'Is Yesterday, Tomorrow, Today?' and 'A Minute Longer' are beautiful songs with lovely sentiments about taking what you want out of your life, and the pain that comes from separation.

Performance And Cocktails ends on a strong note with 'Plastic California' - a fast, anthemic piece - and 'I Stopped to Fill My Car Up', unusual in its use of piano as the lead instrument.

Overall, a fair offering from this tight, steady threepiece.