Stereophonics – You Gotta Go There To Come Back
Stereophonics achieved success with their JEEP album. They have moved onto the big time. This release was produced by Kelly Jones himself and just might be their most enjoyable work to date.
“Help Me” starts the album off. The first thing you notice is its length; it’s 7 minutes long (already not your typical Phonics song). It’s full of retro riffs and Kelly’s choked wine. “Maybe Tomorrow” is a bit of a return to a more pop-oriented song. You get the soul singers singing backup which works very well for the boys; just listen to “Vegas Two Times.” This song has a more laid back feel and a very catchy chorus; it’s a solid hit. “You Stole My Money Honey” is such a great song. It’s the ultimate song to listen to after a break up. It has some great lyrics and great appeal to anyone who had his/her heart broken. “Getaway” has Kelly with an interesting vocal approach. The vocals are hushed and distorted at times. With its big chorus, this is a solid potential single. “Nothing Precious At All” starts off with an awesome little piano intro. The piano and the percussion work give the song a nice sound. Again Kelly’s lyric deals with a girl. He must have had some rough times in the past. “I Miss You Now” is one of the slower tracks on the album. Nothing too fancy here. Some clean vocals from Kelly and some basic instrumentation really evoke the mood. “Since I Told You Its Over” is another beautiful song. The piano and Kelly’s howl like he has just had his heart broken are beautiful. It’s a great sounding track and a nice way to finish things off here.
The Stereophonics have really made a solid album. There are some very solid tunes here. But they don’t really have the power to bring in new fans. Regardless, it’s some good work.
By John Siwicki
