Customer Reviews

Life On Other Planets

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Back in the mid-90's, I was hooked on the Brit-pop craze that conquered the US with the likes of Blur and Oasis. Blur was my favorite. While I haven't heard those CD's in years, I remember seeing Soundgrass' "Pumping On Your Stereo" on MTV2 four years ago. It literally raised the hairs on the back of my neck. Only Roger Daltrey's scream and finale to "Won't Get Fooled Again" has ever done that! After getting burned by bands such as Spacehog, I decided to stick with what I know (Classic Rock, Seattle Bands). A couple of weeks ago, a friend bought L.O.O.P.,(along with the other three releases). Let's just say this is the first time since I was nine (I'm 33) that I've been totally blown away by a rock band. It's as if the members of this band took the Beatles, Who, Stones, Bowie, T-Rex, Byrds, early Traffic, Thunderclap Newman, Tom Petty, Velvet Underground/Lou Reed, Jefferson Airplane, etc. and stirred it into one giant kettle. The outcome is a totally original sound. Their music is so complex, take "Rush Hour Soul". The bulk of the song is Hunky Dory Bowie-esque, but the chorus is late 60's Pink Floyd. How can you do that? This is an amazing band, and without a doubt the best on the planet right now. While Supergrass is selling platinum albums in the rest of the world, the shallow US music market is hooked on rap and bubble gum pop. All that matters now is how pretty you are and how many ways you can make money selling your image. What a shame.

this album really grew on me. At first listen, I wasn't really "getting it". But as time went by, I'm to the point now where I'm thinking this might be one of the best CD's in my collection.
I had the pleasure of listening to this CD alot in upper Michigan this past winter (I brought limited belongings with me). I was borrowing someone else's car (a 1998 Oldmobile Intrigue which to me is one of the most underappreciated, affordable, cars out there). The Olds had a single disc CD player in it (and a great sound system). With the single disc player, the last song would end in sync with how the first song begins. I listened to this CD seemlessly for about 3 hours just wondering how Supergrass could do something this good and not get rich by it. (I also got a $300 dollar speeding ticket in central Wisconsin, driving "lost" on a Sunday morning with this disc playing. (Phuckin' brilliant stuff guys!!)
I think this album is the bands finest hour to date, and hope that somehow they achieve a greater measure of success than they currently enjoy. (I'm nauseated at the number of used CD's available on Amazon of this particular title. Once again I wonder, how in the world are bands supposed to make it these days?) I know this isn't a new recording, but I am planning to buy multiple copies of this title online and give them away as Christmas presents in 2004 to the uninitiated (whether they like it or not).
....(as a sidenote)....
Sorry if this seems corny to some people but being 41, I have fond memories of the album format. If it were the mid seventies, and this were released as an album, and the last five songs constituted the "B" side, I would consider it one of the great album sides of all time.

I can't believe Supergrass isn't more popular than they are. For awhile, I wondered if this album would be released in the U.S. Well, it's here....and it's fantastic! Like their debut, "I Should Coco," this CD is an eclectic mix of punk (Never Done Nothing Like That Before), pop (Grace), 70's rock (Seen the Light), and other genres. It works beautifully. However, I must warn you that if you hate keyboards, you might not like it. I say "might not" because the keyboards are not distracting, nor do they play center stage. But they are used to make a variety of sounds and capture the feel of old 70's tunes. For example, I could almost swear I am listening to ELO when I hear "Prophet 15."

The album kicks off with the very relaxed and spacey "Za" but immediately gets to rocking with "Rush Hour Soul." My favorite song on the CD is probably "Brecon Beacons," which has a very engaging bass line. My only complaint (if you could call it that) is that many of the songs are short. I would be surprised if any are over 4 minutes. But with 12 songs, the CD is regular length, not some 30-minute job. Like the last CD, there's a lot of hand-clapping and extraneous sounds, but it's still true Supergrass. This is the type of music I wish I would hear on the radio more. Maybe someday I will, but if so, Supergrass will be the #1 band in America!

this album made me remember how much fun music can be. for me, it's nearly impossible to listen to it and not feel hyped up. i'm a big radiohead, doves, muse, smiths, coldplay, badly drawn boy, pink floyd, gybe fan and generally speaking i like stuff that's more subtle/"pretty" but anyway this stuff makes me feel like a kid again. there are beautiful moments on this cd as well. this combined with their experimentation make the album feel complete. great lyrics and a good unique voice in the lead singer. another thing that they're really good at is breaking a song down and then bringing it back again. standout tracks: rush hour soul, brecon beacons, never done nothing like that before, la song, and run.
i've listened to it about 15 times in the past 5 days. i need a girlfriend

I took a chance and bought this cd based upon only knowing that these guys are british and a bit out of the mainstream. What a pleasant surprise. Far from formula, these guys take musical chances and bring back the freshness and brashness more domanant in the late 60's. Beatles, The Who, T-Rex, The Kinks, maybe even a little Brian Wilson, all musically represented. Creatively challenging, melodically inventive...I haven't had this much fun listening to an artist in years. Twelve neat songs in just over 40 minutes. I defy anyone to pull that off anymore. Brings back the days when bands weren't taking the corporate road and trusted themselves enough to follow their own instincts. All of my ole "hippie" friends will love LIFE ON OTHER PLANETS. I first thought I must have missed this as an l.p. somewhere around '71 or '72. Good thing it isn't on vinyl. It would be worn out already. Buy it and feel good.

Having had this album as an import for some time, it is great to see Supergrass get an American release of this album. LOOP has some terrific pop treasures. The opener, "Za" rocks with a strong piano beat. "Seen the Light" shows that the humor which transcends Supergrass music remains fully in place. "Grace" takes its place with the TRex sounds that is infectious. "Evening of the Day" is a great song. Yet perhaps the strongest song is "Run" a slower, beautiful piece.

While this album may not win many converts (although it should), "LOOP" is another very strong addition to the Supergrass porfolio. Recommended for those who enjoy British pop at its best.

I was in grade 7 or 8 and I heard Grace by Supergrass on Muchmusic and i thought it was decent. A year passed & I still remember the band name and the song so I downloaded it....That's when I fell in love. I have listened to this cd so many times that when I do listen to it now I save it for a special occasion




Check out the video for Rush Hour Soul, it's crazy!

Supergrass is getting better with every album that they put out. This collection is sequenced perfectly. It starts out strong with Za and remains strong for awhile then dips a bit into a lull and then bounces right back out to end with the vocally strong Beatlesque Run. Grace is definately the standout single but all songs are very catchy and "sing song". Kudos out to Robert Coombes for the top notch keyboard work. All in all LOOP is a keeper. Thanks guys.

Well the guys from Supergrass have done it again. Back after a three year hiatus, Life on Other Planets may actually end up being my personal favorite. These guys have stuck to their roots and released a CD in the classic 60's Brit pop style that has worked so well in previous efforts. "Seen the Light" and "Run" are my favorites on the album. The harmonies on "Run" are warm and almost Beatle-like with a general good feel to it. I just saw them last night and the show was sick - they did a lot off the new album and as always, had an amazing performance. If you dig their other stuff, you should be all over Life on Other Planets.

The long-awaited fourth album from Oxford's "Supergrass" is a strong, well balanced album that's nearly perfect. I wish that some of the songs, such as "Grace" were longer and that some of the intros were shorter. Those are minor quibbles of course, and I feel a little silly at mentioning them, but I'm just giving an honest opinion.

It's hard to choose the stand-out songs, but "Seen The Light" and "Grace" are certainly right up there, with maybe "Rush Hour Soul" and "Za" right behind. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.

Let's hope it's not another three years for the next album.