Customer Reviews

You Gotta Go There to Come Back

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This album is a must for any one who loves the Stereophonics or any one who likes Oasis, Faces, Black Crowes, Humble Pie or Ocean Colour Scene. Kelly Jones has proven once again that he's the best British songwriter in the traditional rock genre right now, and with this album he's stretched his legs to expand a bit. The guys still rock as hard as ever, and the Faces/Black Crowes/Humble Pie elements are as fresh and original as they are gritty and soulful. The softer, folksy songs are even more beautifully woven than on their previous records. These are songs that are meant to be heard live, and the raw, spontanious feel to the album is a refreshing change from the sterile, over-produced efforts of most cookie-cutter modern rock bands.

Help Me, Madame Helga and Jealousy are muscular, riff-driven rockers, while Maybe Tomorrow, Getaway, Climbing The Wall and Nothing Precious At All are beautiful and intelligent tunes showcasing Jones's talent for crafting thoughtful and insightful melodies and lyrics.

Unashamed of their influences, Stereophonics draw deeply and frequently from the well of 70's rock, but the results never sound dated, stolen or stale. Theirs is a thoroughly modern take on the genre, and if the first listenings don't draw you in immediately, further spins will give each tune a character and depth you'll appreciate more each time you hear them.

We all need bands like Stereophonics. While they don't achieve the high successes of Oasis, Radiohead et al, they keep the rock n roll clock ticking, and fans have something to buy in between releases from the big bands.

This album is classic, and somewhat new ground for Kelly Jones. The standout track is "I'm Alright", which is in the mould of Massive Attack ,and this shows the maturity and vision of his songwriting. From the bluesy I Miss You Now, to the full out rocking off High As The Ceiling and Madame Helga, the variety is terrific. Have a tissue ready for Since I Told You Its Over as this is the most beautiful song written this year. His growl is at its best, and while JEEP was primarily a completely chill out album, this one is packed with rocked, chilled and reflective music, perfect for any mood you may be in.

Although their success isn't exactly massive, I've always rated Stereophonics in my top two bands along with Oasis. In YGGTTCB, the lyrics mach perfectly with the music, and the mood set is flawless.

Now Kelly seems on the verge of going solo with the sacking of the drummer Stuart Cable, and I think some of the stuff he could churn out could be massive.

Phonics fans beware, you have a CD to buy.

and that stands as my favorite track on the album.

I very much enjoyed the whole "garage" feel to this album, and it's mellow energy... if that makes any sense. I think this album is best if you are relaxing and just looking for good entertaining music. I would buy another Stereophonics CD.

Reason I gave it a 4?

Because I want to leave room to give a better score for any future stereophonics albums.

I can't believe I never heard this band before! I lucked out and heard "Maybe tomorrow" during the credits of Crash, so I decided to check the band out. WOW!! This cd blew me away from the opening track!! There's not one track on here that I don't love!! I've gone back and listened to their last 3 cd's also, and so far I really like them all..not quite as much as this one, though!! I can easily listen to the whole cd 2-3 times straight through in one sitting. Do yourself a favor and give this band a listen if you haven't. It's not often I'm blown over by a new band, but I am now a HUGE Stereophonics fan!! Yes, they are as good as The Verve, the Black Crowes back in the day...and I enjoy them better than Oasis. Hope they'll be around for a long time to come!!

This album is chalk full of just plain GOOD songs. They're well written, excellently produced, catchy, rocking, great lyrics - and with Kelly's voice as the clencher, it makes it an excellent album for anyone who loves a more "pure rock" sort of record. Yes, there are a couple songs on there that don't fit this "pure rock" mold, but in my opinion they almost steal the show from the rest anyway, so I'm not about to complain (ie: "I'm Alright" is one of the best songs I've heard in years).

Added to the solid enjoyability of this album are their amazing live shows. They are loaded with energy and wow the audiences with their ability to completely rock the house with good old fashioned ROCK N ROLL (with a kick - especially Kelly's leg kicks!), usually capping off with the amazing "Help Me (she's out of her mind)" - which kicks off this album with a bang.

So - Buy the album, and see them live (or the other way around if they play near you soon) - they're definitely worth it!

This album is seriously amazing, especially the single "Maybe Tomorrow" which has to be one of the best driving-pensive-songs in recent history, yesterday it inspired me to just get in my car and drive, which I did, to Wisconsin. I just think they have something special, it's the perfect soundtrack song, and that's why it's on like 100 soundtracks! Great work from a great, prolific band.

I bought this disc based on the above reviews and the sound clips available on Amazon. It's exciting for me to discover a band like this. The last time I was floored was back when The Black Crowes debut was released. Comparisons can be made to Oasis, Travis, The Verve, etc. This band is like a living history lesson on British pop/rock. Starting with John Lennon (singer Kelly Jones evokes Lennon's rasp and attitude)thru Humble pie (complete with female back up singers)and up to more modern influences as well. I like the peaks and valley's. The thundering riffs followed by subtle ballads. I agree with the other reviewer's lists of standout tunes. Kelly Jones is a star. He has the greatest rock voice I've heard so far this century.

"You Gotta Go There..." is perhaps the best 'Phonics album to date. While I've seen a couple reviews of this album saying how Kelly Jones' lyrics are less full of catchy one-liners and such, that's exactly why this album is a more mature work.
Jones is writing more personal lyrics, rather than trying to right stuff that sounds cool for the era, and it's a big improvement.
As much as I've loved most of what they've released over the years, I was just much more impressed with the subject matter, as well as its handling, on this CD.
"Madame Helga" is probably their best uptempo number to date. "Rainbows & Pots of Gold" is one of the better ballads of bitter loss that I've heard in a while. "Stole My Money Honey" works along that line, too. They're just more introspective, straight forward writings that hit with the lyrical weight of brass knuckles.
"Climbing the Wall", "Maybe Tomorrow", "Getaway" and "Nothing Precious At All" are all top-notch, as well.

Love it or hate it, Kelly Jones has one distinct voice. The Stereophonics 4th release seems to find the perfect musical fit for his uniquely rough, yet tuneful, tongue. "You Gotta go There..." is far more musically mature than their previous albums. Similar in its' overall mood to J.E.E.P, but with far more diversity and a whole load more soul.

If you're looking for a return to the intense guitar driven hard rock found on the first two albums, you'll be disappointed again. I too am a fan of the 'Phonics glory days and still enjoy the raw energy of songs like "Bartender and the Thief"... But at the same time it's hard not to fall in love with the instant classics "Maybe Tomorrow", "Climbing The Wall", and just about every other song on this album.

All in all, this album is a phenomenal recovery from the relatively lackluster J.E.E.P. I'd give it thumbs up for album of the year, but I haven't heard the new full length from Travis yet. ;)

The Stereophonics are one of those rare bands who write, sing & play music that really means somthing. It comes from inside and makes a lot of sense. There is a lot of difference in this album, to the other three, but it still comes out great. You still get that Stereophonics feel. If you like Stereophonics, or just great music... buy this album, it will not dissapoint you.