Stereophonics: Graffiti On The Train

They’ve been around for so long (21 years. Jesus.) that it’s easy to forget how big the Stereophonics once were. After all, they headlined Slane!

While their arena-filling days are probably well behind them they remain popular – thanks to a strong back catalogue, frontman Kelly Jones’ distinctive vocals and a winning way with a catchy tune – not to mention a genuine respect for classic Britrock especially of the ‘70s variety. As their seven albums to date attest, they’re also consistent. Their first record in three years sees little change of policy. The soaring opener, ‘We Share The Same Sun’, is classic ‘Phonics with Jones’ raspy voice rising over a barrage of screeching guitars and underpinned by a propulsive rhythm. More dramatic flourishes, including staccato strings backdrop the current single, the melodic, ‘Indian Summer’ – as close to a power ballad as it gets here while, elsewhere, the more experimental, futuristic textures of ‘In A Moment’ nod towards U2 (circa ‘Numb’ with a touch of Berlin-era Bowie) while ‘Take Me’, an ethereal slow-burner, finds them in a contemplative mode.
Rooted in the swagger-rock of the ‘70s, ‘Roll The Dice’ could be a Mott The Hoople outtake, while the droney krautrock textures on ‘Violins & Tambourines’ (released as a free download last year) is in contrast to the pared-down acoustic blues of ‘Been Caught Cheating’, strongly reminiscent of Sam Cooke’s ‘Bring It On Home To Me’. Yet another sombre ballad, the closing track, ‘No-One’s Perfect’ hints at a mellowing of the band’s normally powerhouse sonic assault. But for the most part, this is Stereophonics as we know and (generally) love them.