Released on 19/06/06
Label: SonyBMG

Apparently, The Zutons are all about fun. For those of us who believe there's no place in rock'n'roll for silly things such as fun, we shall now be required to swallow our tongue in much the same fashion that's required when the Scissor Sisters loom on the horizon. Because, clearly, there is an audience for the band, who've made a far more pressing bid at becoming a commercial proposition than many of their peers, despite seemingly having no particular hook. Is it the sexy saxophonist? Is it the vaguely appealing, gruff soul of a tune? Is it the total lack of a challenge offered by the band's knockabout pop music?

Or is it, god forbid, all about the fun?? We'll admit to having a modicum of that whilst listening to "Valerie", which is as competent and memorable as anything else in The Zutons back catalogue, whilst lacking any particular edge whatsoever. Interestingly, it's rather difficult to work out what said saxophonist is doing during the track. Perhaps she was brushing her lovely hair, while musing over the fact that it was never a good idea to rhyme the word "Valerie" with "me". She was probably also considering how much better Stevie Winwood's track of the same name was. We will probably never know.

    by Ben Gilbert