Review by Isoproponal
4 stars out of 4
In recent years, there's been much excitement over the Welsh
rock scene in the UK. Bands like the Manic Street Preachers,
Catatonia, and the Stereophonics. The Super Furry Animals have
gone largely unnoticed. Undeservedly. This, their third album,
sees their extraordinary gift for skybound melodies crash
headlong into hardcore techno, surreal lyrics about
camels and mobile phones, and Caribbean steel drums.
"Wherever I Lay My Phone (That's My Home)" is an truly insane
satire on mobile phone culture, taking in just about every imaginable
musical genre imaginable during it's thrilling five minutes. It's
worth the price of admission alone. Rock-outs like "The
Teacher" and "Do Or Die" keep the vibe from getting too
laidback, while elsewhere, the beautiful arrangements of
"Something's Come From Nothing" and "Fire In My Heart"
approach the stellar beauty of the Beach Boys' "Friends".
And the introduction "Check It Out" takes on Fatboy Slim
and beats him at his own game, and then dismisses that as
too easy in the space of two minutes. It's grooooooo-veey.
The record throughout is replete with sumptuous tunes, insane
synthesiser squelches and bleeps, and stands apart as one of
the most original and entertaining albums to come out of the
UK for a long long time - well, since their last one...
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