Stuff and nonsense? I beg to differ. (Never Loved Elvis - The Wonder Stuff)

Member Name: notallsoft

Product:	Never Loved Elvis - The Wonder Stuff
Date:	07/08/01 (93 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A great mix of songs, amusing and often insightful lyrics, wonderfully nostalgic of the early 90s

Disadvantages: You missed the reformation tour!

It has been pointed out that the lyrics to the Wonderstuff's "Size of a Cow", one of the most memorable singles from this album, are meaningless. Oh come on - take a look at their official website, thewonderstuff.com, and you'll see that meaningless just doesn't come close to the now-sadly-demised 'stuffies. But who cares? The Wonderstuff did make some important points in many of their songs, but "Never Loved Elvis" had a far more important function to fulfil than anaemic political preaching.

The Wonderstuff was happy music. There's no other way to describe it to anyone who hasn't drunk a little too much and moshed to "Size of a Cow" as a carefree student. The single was released in 1991 at the same time as the album, three years before indie became mainstream with the likes of Oasis. Even now, I'm not alone in being instantly bouyed up when that song comes up in a nineties night or at an indie club. Never Loved Elvis WAS 1991.

This album was truly the voice of an age, and is, in my opinion, easily one of the best of the early 90s. Martin Bell completely stole the show on this album, with his folky violin, accordion and banjo playing, which gave it such a distinctive sound. Like the Levellers, The Wonderstuff tapped into grungy and conventional youth alike, and made some of the real "happy" music this decade could use more of. Think of REM's "Shiny Happy People" as a less forceful example. Can you imagine that being released now alongside Eminem and Atomic Kitten?

This is an album that all those who were of music appreciating age in 1991 should cherish, even if it does seem a little silly now that we're all grown up, and that those who missed it should listen to and learn to love. There are enough things in life to depress us. To cheer us up? There's always The Wonderstuff.

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