Super Furry Animals - 'Show Your Hand'

For well over a decade, the Super Furry Animals have been knocking out some of the most innovative, colourful and damn whacky guitar music on the scene. They’ve always been far more than the lazy ‘Beach Boys on acid’ comparisons, so it’s a wonder why the Welsh outfit haven’t achieved the popularity of so many inferior bands. Their upcoming eighth studio album ‘Hey Venus!’ sees the band delve into mellower avenues, but brimming with glorious melodies and heartfelt lyrics, it’s still vintage SFA and far, far removed from the bandwagon jumping guitar acts clogging the scene currently. Lead single ‘Show Your Hand’ is the perfect introduction. Totally stripped of pretentiousness, it’s a one-dimensional (in the best possible sense of the word) summery, serotonin inducing, psychedelic gem. When Gruff positively asserts “Look to the future, leave all the troubles to one side”, you’re left wondering exactly what it is these boys are smoking. Okay 'Show Your Hand' may not be quite as forward thinking as, say, their ‘Guerrilla’ days, but it's perfectly succinct and sheer pop perfection.   

Released 13/08/07 on Rough Trade