Stereophonics have been one of the busiest and noisiest acts of recent years, playing everywhere and anywhere, pushing big singles up the charts and clocking up millions of album sales along the way.
This, their third album, marks a change however from the rocky style that has pushed them so far. Gone are the grinding guitars and fast beats of 'Performance and Cocktails' and in their place is an album the Welsh trio believe to be their best yet, an album they are happy with.
'J.E.E.P' still kicks off with a trademark slab of fuzz-infused rock with the riff led 'Vegas Two Times'. The track is reminiscent of Stone Temple Pilots and hints at the American influences which pervade the album.
Current single 'Mr. Writer' is perhaps the most accomplished song produced by the Stereophonics so far, and its eerie angst ridden feel is typical of the vibe behind this album. Kelly still writes melancholy lyrics rooted in a South Wales working class upbringing, but the band's sound has changed from all-out aural assault to reveal a more considered approach.
An acoustic side has emerged, with tracks like 'Step on My Old Size Nines' , 'Nice to Be Out' and 'Caravan Holiday' offering a mellower alternative. Mouth organs and slide guitars feature heavily on a couple of tracks, leading some to dub this an acoustic or country album. It's neither, but the band's time in the States has clearly had an affect. 'Have A Nice Day' , inspired by a San Francisco taxi driver, provides a twist on Americana and campaigns against globalisation.
Kelly Jones' vocals are as powerful and unique as ever. It's one of those voices you either love or hate. Gritty and strong, it's angst ridden and loaded with pain and pride, his lyrics full of meaning. He sings about the injustices of the world, from people with disfigured faces to the differences between dreams of fame or money and the reality. The album consequently has a sentimental feeling to it. It's more introspective and emotional than their previous work as Kelly works through his psyche.
The Stereophonics are trying to say something, expressing something more than the exuberant rock songs with which they made their name. Only time will tell whether their fans will lap up an album almost entirely starved of the big guitar sounds and sweeping choruses they've grown accustomed to.
