After two largely acoustic albums the Stereophonics return with Language Sex Violence Other with a new drummer and a new direction, reminicent of their first two albums.
Track by track
Superman
This sleazy opener sets the tone for the album perfectly with its laid back groove and Kelly Jones' excellent falsetto vocals in the verse and his usual gravelly sound for the chorus. The chorus is much darker than the verse providing contrast. There are also two guitar solos with Kelly using his wah pedal to great effect. Overall a good song, but the bass and drums dont stand out at all. 4.5/5
Doorman
This song explodes into life with Jones screaming "Doorman ya got an attitude" backed by heavy distortion and pounding drums. This is probably the hardest rocking song on the album, full of catchy vocals and riffs. The chorus is slower with triipy guitars, before the distortion explodes into life again. However the highlight of this song is the incredible guitar solo. Starting with a fast bluesey lick and a series of fast bends, Kelly shows how good a simple pentatonic scale can sound. Great song. 5/5
Brother
This song is more reminicent of earlier Stereophonics with is funky guitar riff and drawling vocals. The lyrics are similar to Doorman, about a run in with an offensive person. The chorus is slow and heavy and full of menace. If you liked Performance and Cocktails you will love this song. 4/5
Devil
The 3rd single from the album, this song is a darker affair with a simple keyboard riff carrying the song. The guitars are excellently built up through the verse, climaxing in the chorus, where Kelly moans "Be ma Devil angel" The melody is catchy throughout, although the song drags a little bit towards the end and a guitar solo would have been nice. 3.5/5
Dakota
The first single off the album and its not hard to see why. Its starts off simply with laid back vocals in the verse before it explodes into the chorus, which is insanely catchy. The song closes with Kelly singing "So take a look at me now" with all instruments pounding. This song was their first number 1 single and deservedley so. 5/5
Rewind
After 5 rockers, we have the first slower song. The song doesnt feature much guitar work, with keyboards dominating throughout, although the drums really shine in the chorus. Kelly sings very well throughout, but the song seems slightly out of place on the album. Howver it is a very good song which would really stand out on any of there other albums. 3.5/5
PedalPusher
Another sleaze-rocker with a really simple but catchy guitar riff driving the song. The drums are good as well. The distortion lifts briefly in the chorus, before tantalizingly retreating again. There is a sort of solo with weird effects which is annoying, but thankfully short. The riff is there throughout the song. It should be irritating, but somehow it isnt. 4/5
Girl
The shortest, fastest song on the album starts with a cool distorted riff, before the other instruments kick in with Kellys vocals. The chorus is very simple but very catchy. The second verse is fully of lead guitar fills which build up the song nicely. Sadly its over all to quickly but while it lasts it kicks ass. 4/5
Lolita
This is a mellow song, sounding like something of the last album. Its also the worst song on the album. There is just nothing about it that grabs you and the chorus is incredibly annoying. Not a really terrible song, just bland when compared to the rest of the album. The only track I skip when I listen to the album. 2/5
Deadhead
This is it now. We reach the best song on the album. The bass carries the intro, which hints at what is to come. The sound is very grungey, unlike anything they have done before. There is a wailing guitar lead and the song kicks into life. The guitars arn't domminant in the verse, as the vocals take the lead, until a wall of powerchords lead straight into the best, most catchy chorus I have ever heard. After the second chorus the song abruptly drops down a gear, before building up into the solo, whicj fits the song pefectly. This leads straight into an extended chorus, then the outro which is full of distorted leads and Kelly shouting "A la la la". Quite simply the 'Phonics finest moment. 5/5
Feel
The closing track is another slower song, but somehow it fits the album very well. "Here it comes again" moans a weary sounding Kelly. The song is very
dark, with the vocals carying the song into a creshendo, ending the album perfectly. 4/5
Overall this album shows that there is life still in the Stereophonics. Apart from a couple of slower songs it is pure rock and Roll all the way. Kelly's new found love for guitar solo's is great news (just listen to Doorman). The only complaint I have is that the bass could have been used more but otherwise this album kicks ass.
