Stuck in a rut (Stereophonics) (LP192 - 195)

Stereophonics Language. Sex. Violence. Other? (CD - V2 Music, 2005) ***
Stereophonics Pull The Pin (CD - V2 Music, 2007) **
Stereophonics Keep Calm and Carry On (CD - V2 Music, 2009) ***
Stereophonics Graffiti On The Train (CD - V2 Music, 2013) ***

Genre:  Welsh pop/rock

Places I remember: Language...Fives (Leigh-on-sea); Pull.../Keep Calm...The Warehouse (New Plymouth); Graffiti...the Warehouse (Hastings)

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Dakota




Gear costume: Graffiti On The Train

Active compensatory factors: Most definitely, I own way too many Stereophonics albums. 

This lot comprises a late period 'Phonics wrap up.

The things is - when they stow the bombast and put in some effort they create some great songs. Like Dakota. So, I persist. Plus they usually end up in the sale racks at The Warehouse eventually. So, there's that.

Which means: I hang in there.

Language. Sex. Violence. Other? has a good song (Superman) and one great one (Dakota).

Pull The Pin has a few good songs (It Means Nothing, Stone) but no great ones.

Keep Calm and Carry On has a few good songs (Could You Be The One?) but no great ones. Still, it's a cut above the previous album - less bombast and some variety of approach see to that.

Graffiti On The Train wins its three stars for trying something different at times (the title track frinstance).

Stuck in a rut? The verdict? Well, yes. Based on the evidence of these albums.

Thing of it is - Kelly Jones and his band are capable of a four star album but mostly there's only the likelihood of a 2 star or at best a 3 star album emerging from the ruck in the future.

Where do they all belong? That's it. I'm going to do my best not to buy any more (I haven't bought the last two and the latest got a 2 star rating in Mojo), but, you know, if they are on sale, and there's always that thought: maybe, just maybe, it could contain a Dakota...