Rock 'n' roll survived the Y2K scare and gallantly arrived into the 21st century. Five decades strong and mutating, how many nonimitative sounds can still be created in this genre? Don't ask Supergrass. They are hardly innovators, but by mixing a pinch of The Jam and a dash of The Stones, they do manage to reinvent some of the finest noise that ever emerged from Great Britain. Their startling 1995 debut, I Should Coco, and its punk enticements put them on the Britpop map as "ones to watch," and the subsequent In It For The Money in 1996 fueled the lofty expectations and upped their status as ultra-cool critical darlings. Not quite a radical departure from their previous two albums, the more nebulous Supergrass is a natural progression as they evolve into a career band.
An enchanted audience waving glowsticks under a night sky is the image to accompany the sound of the album opener "Moving." With operatic and consistent beats, it's easily the strongest and most interesting track. The catchy "What Went Wrong In Your Head" reminds us that nobody is safe from an experience that can instantaneously remove clarity from your mind ("God save the unstable...it's such a beautiful life"). "Born Again" showcases a flawless and trippy underwater sound, while "Faraway" has vocals spookily reminiscent of David Bowie; it's the Supergrass version of "Moonage Daydream." The simple, sad and acoustic closing tune "Mama & Papa" would normally seem odd and misplaced, but not so in the Supergrass alterna-universe.
Finally, with the arrival of Supergrass, all three band members can legally consume cocktails in the United States. Not surprisingly, the songs are a bit tamer and subdued, hinting toward a more sophisticated and perhaps radio-friendly future. Still, it's easy to be swayed by Supergrass - the "strange ones" still deliver provocative music with a fanciful aura to match.
If you like Supergrass, check out:
The Jam All Mod Cons/Sound Affects
Blur Modern Life Is Rubbish
Oasis Definitely Maybe
Elastica Elastica
The Who BBC Sessions
Super Furry Animals Radiator
The Boo Radleys Wake Up!
The Zombies The Singles Collection
The Buzzcocks Operators Manual
David Bowie Diamond Dogs
-- Joanna Lux
