Gruff Rhys – ‘Yr Atal Genhedlaeth’ (Placid Casual) Released 24/01/05

Gruff Rhys has come a long way from his roots in Haverfordwest, however, he may have come full circle, as with his first solo offering he has produced a simple but beautiful collection of songs that pay homage to his Super Furry Animals. This really is a solo as it gets, Gruff having played pretty much all instruments on the album except the trumpet (Edwin Humpheries) and the banjo which producer Gorwel Owen kindly provides.

Since ‘Mwng’, SFA’s first and only entirely Welsh language album (and one if their most successful) was released back in 2000 Gruff has been collecting together a treasure trove of Welsh tracks in preparation for this 30 minute gem, ‘Yr Atal Genhedlaeth’, many of the tracks he describes as coming from “old ideas”, in particular the last track ‘Chwarea’n Troi’n Chwerw’ (When Play Turns Sour) a cover of a song which Gruff confesses has haunted him through his childhood.

The album is a stripped down version of what you could expect from the Furries. From the openings of the album, the first track will have you leaning over the CD and frowning at your hi-fi as you try and figure out what the **** is going on, but its just Gruff having a bit of a larf as track 1 does exactly what it says on the sleeve, it stutters, but thankfully only for a few seconds.

The whole album is full of quirky vocal effects, electronic sounds that have become associated with the Furries and Gruff ever since their techno beginnings, from the echoing voices that filter through ‘Ambell Waith’ to the beta band-esque beats that are the backbone of ‘Gwn Mi Wn’ the entire album is an aural treat from start to finish. You will find yourself shouting out and stomping along with the Hammond inspired ‘Epynt’, laughing at the primary school recorder on ‘Ni Yw Y Byd’ and crying to the heartbreakingly beautiful ‘Pwdin Wy 1 & 2’ that are reminiscent of the tragic themes featured in 1999’s ‘Fire In My Heart’.

Don’t let the fact that this album’s lyrics are sung entirely in Welsh put you off, you will find yourself singing along to the melodic words, the Welsh language was made for singing and on this album Gruff’s instantly recognizable growl merges itself into yet another instrument on this already stunningly eclectic album. You may not understand it, but you will love it just the same.