Review Summary: Although inconsistent, 'Graffiti on the Train' has many moments that shine and make for an at-times moving experience.
Stereophonics are a Welsh band with many albums under their belts. As someone who hasn't experienced any of their prior material, I listened to this album not knowing what to expect (the band vaguely recommended by a friend), and not being familiar with the band or their genre, expectations were fairly grounded.
Before I begin, it's worth mentioning that this album is a collection of songs rather than a large piece of music, and therefore should be judged on the strength of the individual songs.
That said, the album has a fairly solid mix of songs. 'We Share the Same Sun' and 'Indian Summer' are conventional radio-type songs, and in my opinion are weaker points of the album. They each have a simple structure and catchy choruses, but are simplistic to the point of being annoying (for example, the four-chord chugging pattern in the verses on 'Indian Summer' seems lazy, as if they couldn't be bothered to change the pattern at all). The song 'Graffiti on the Train' is more like the better aspects of the album, with a great atmosphere provided from the shimmering guitar work and a noteworthy solo from guitarist Adam Zindani.
Lyrically, Kelly Jones is ambitious in his storytelling, such as the title track and some memorable lines in 'In a Moment' and 'Violins and Tambourines'; his vocals often suit the message (he changes from his clean, almost monotone voice he uses in Take Me and 'Violins and Tambourines' to that soft, throaty style on the title track and 'Been Caught Cheating').
Atmosphere is very important on this album, with the oddity of 'In a Moment' contrasting with the Amy Winehouse tribute in the form of a pseudo-bluesy acoustic track 'Been Caught Cheating' and more still to the fast and straightforward rocker of 'Catacomb'.
Ultimately, the thing that struck me most was how infectious the songs are. Despite a repetitive chorus, 'Graffiti on the Train' manages an interesting story that warrants many listens. 'Take Me' is seductive and strange, 'Catacomb' is seemingly obligatory but pulled off professionally, and the orgasmic build-up in 'Violins and Tambourines' still gives me shivers. It's an album that changes pace a lot, and it's variety is a major part of it's successes. It's not a classic, and not a must-listen, but it's more than enjoyable and features a few great songs.
