word got around (Word Gets Around - Stereophonics)

Member Name: SaveFerris

Product:	Word Gets Around - Stereophonics
Date:	30/06/09 (16 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: epic album, great for driving to

Disadvantages: perhaps a bit odd for some

All the best albums have a narrative. Come to think of it, a lot of bad albums have too, but all the good ones have narratives that the average every day listener can relate to. If that kind of narrative and raw energetic music is your thing, then Word Gets Around by The Stereophonics is a soundtrack for life.

This first studio album from the Welsh outift still proves to be their most accomplished with the band instantly comfortable with showcasing their melodically grungy style all capped off with the unique gravely vocal stylings of lead singer Kelly Jones (Yes he is a man, a small man, but a man nonetheless).

Anyway, onto the tracks:

1) A Thousand Trees -
The band steps into the studio and starts to piece it together one element at a time. Chord sequence, subtle symbols, vocals, DRUMS, ROCK. The Stereophonics have arrived. 9/10

2) Looks Like Chaplin -
"Hey boys, let's do a U2 impression...nah...oh go on, it'll be a laugh...no, we must be ourselves...oh alright then. Wait, was that microphone on?" 7/10

3) More Life in a Tramps Vest -
Punchy song, quite manic, indecipherable lyrics... great fun. 9/10

4) Local Boy in the Photograph -
I was playing this in my car and one of my teenage passengers said that she'd never heard the song before... I sat blinking for at least 20 minutes and ended up 4 miles off course. Says it all really. What a song, what an intro. 10/10

5) Traffic -
It was about time they put an acoustic track in there. A Beautifully rough tune that provides a timely breather after the lunacy of the first four tracks. 9/10

6) Not up to you -
Nicely paced melodic song that starts slightly muted and teases to the last. Just when you think it's going somewhere it simmers down again. Kind of the musical equivalent of watching two kids in school trade insults, engage in a couple of shoves and then a teacher comes and breaks it up. Gutted, but strangely satisfying. 7/10

7) Check my eyelids for holes -
By now I have no idea what he's talking about but i don't care because i'm too busy getting swept up in the sheer defiance as the working class band rises up. Great energy in this song. 9/10

8) Same size feet -
I'm not entirely sure, but i think they may be singing about someone having an affair. And someone just said sex change...in a song. Like me, the band don't really sound like they're sure if this is working, so they figured that if they make it the weakest song on the album, perhaps nobody will notice. Who's idea was this anyway? 5/10

9) Last of the big time drinkers -
Nothing to lift the spirits like a good old anthem like sing along. The Stereophonics give it a go here really capturing the night out in the pub spirit (no pun intended). Also as a side note, by now i suspect that at least one of the band is drunk. 10/10

10) Goldfish Bowl -
Bit of a toe tapper this one. Lies somewhere between rock and acoustic (That would be acoustic rock then). Oh the songs finished. Nice. 8/10

11) Too many sandwiches -
Whilst many would be tempted to go for a big finish, The Phonz (not that one) masterfully continue to wind down sneaking one last rock tune in there. Great idea, but the song is nothing to rave about. 6/10

12) Bill Davey's Daughter -
Why does Bill Davey sound like a pirate? Maybe it's just that i can totally see hundreds of Stereophonics fans listening to this song on the beach at sunset. Great end to a great album.

Although Word Gets Around has it's peaks and it's drops, it feels like a complete album, and is a great introduction to a band who like great food aren't afraid to use massive contrasts in their ingredients to achieve a new level of excellence. What went wrong?!

Summary: if only they'd stuck to this kind of style a bit longer