They were young, they were green and they kept their teeth nice and clean. So what is the sound of the more mature discerning Supergrass? Last year saw them release a âbest ofâ in the guise of âSupergrass Is 10â and draw a line under their trademark fuzzy pop. As Gaz sings in their first single from this album, âSt Petersburgâ â âItâs time to make a move onâ â and that move takes them down the âRoad to Rouenâ.Named after a town in Normandy where the new album was created in a self-built studio the âGrass are clearly on a different path to the well worn trail of yore. Opener âTales of Enduranceâ is a deft sleight of hand wrong footing die-hard fans from the offset as its acoustic country groove gives way to Mariachi trumpets. Is this really a Supergrass record? Yes, and itâs brilliant.
A more mature approach to song writing has given the album a laid back feel and takes the listener to a whole host of different destinations than previously visited on the Supergrass Express.
Next stop Russia! âSt Petersburgâ is a great introduction to their more eclectic sound including a refrain doused in the sound of the Soviets, âSad Girlâ has the spirit of John Lennon crooning over âSergeant Pepperâ, whereas âRoxyâ with its strings and squealing proggy guitars could sit snugly alongside âThe Ultimate Yesâ. âCoffee In The Potâ is a short meander through a crazy spaghetti western whilst Cossack dancing and title track âRoad To Rouenâ is the soundtrack of a Seventies cop show.
While not providing the immediacy of previous Supergrass releases this is without a doubt a fine addition to their catalogue, providing something for new and old fans alike. If there is one gripe, itâs that itâs way too short. At only nine tracks long (and one of those lasts about thirty seconds) you could be forgiven for wanting slightly more for your money, but then again, whereâs the crime in leaving the crowd wanting more?
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