Great Performance by the 'Phonics

'Performance and Cocktails' was always going to have a hard act to follow from the fantastic 'Word Gets Around'. It lives up to its predecessor in great style, and you just know you're going to enjoy the album after the opening tracks of 'Roll Up 'n' Shine' and 'The Bartender and The Thief' which are great rockers. The balance of slower songs and the heavier tracks is perfect with the steady, yet absorbing 'Hurry Up And Wait' and 'Minute Longer', supplying the lighter moments.

It's fair to say the new found commerciality of the trio has had an effect on the music as the album is filled with singles, even the songs which weren't released are capable of appealing to the 'Radio Friendly' generation. This album won't dissapoint anyone already into the band and it will be great listening to newcomers of the building Stereophonics bandwagon.

You will no doubt have heard the songs 'Just Looking' and 'Pick A Part That's New' and if you liked either of them you'll really like the album. This is in no way as raw as 'Word Gets Around' but it's the Stereophonics' original sound which is there for everyone to like, and this album is a distinct progression.

Kelly Jones' vocals will always stand out as the most recognisable in today's pop/rock market which is one of the many reasons why you should buy this hugely popular album.

It's a constant pleasure to listen to and you won't be dissapointed.

I didn't believe my radio when I heard this...

Another fantastic offering from the 'Phonics. 'Roll Up And Shine' opens the album heroically while 'The Bartender And The Theif' is quite good. 'Hurry Up And Wait' is the joint best on the album with its amazing lyrics and brilliant, flowing music. 'Pick A Part' is a poppy affair and is a fantastic track, as is other single 'Just Looking', which has a rhythm guitar riff to die for. 'Half The Lies You Tell Ain't True' continues the albums high tempo, rock 'n' roll feel. The only real let down on the album is 'I wouldn't believe your radio' which has poor lyrics and is a bit of a bland and boring song. 'Is Yesterday, Tomorrow, Today?' is joint best as it is an epic track and a landmark song for the lads from Wales. It is right up there with 'Traffic', 'Too Many Sandwiches', 'Local Boy', 'Goldfish Bowl', 'Same Size Feet', 'Hurry Up and Wait' and 'Not Up To You' as one of the very best Stereophonics tracks. 'A minute longer', although a bit too slow and plain, is a good tune and once again the lyrical genius of Kelly Jones shines through, as it does in 'She Takes Her Clothes Off', another high point of the album. 'Plastic California' is yet another superb track and 'I stopped to fill my car up' is great, although not as good as the heavy, rock and roll live version (which you can get on 'Hurry Up And Wait' CD2).

Overall, not as good as the debut album but still a fantastic effort from the lads.

American Perspective

Grunge is just a memory now as the American masses go after Kid Rock. But bands like Stereophonics have been doing the great old punk/metal thing for a few years, and this new record was actually up for this year's Mercury Prize. Songs like "The Bartender and The Thief" and "T-shirt Sun Tan" are classic songs to get excited about. Also they are big on ballads, that show a softer side to the power trio from Wales. I saw them recently live, and they are entertaining, with singer Kelly Jones' head to the side approach, and the drummer Stuart Cable had as much energy as Keith Moon. Finally here's a band who can take the mantel from Oasis and Nirvana. A record for those who want to rock out!

(www.freewilliamsburg.com)

Great album

This, the Stereophonics 2nd album, is leaps and bounds beyond its predecessor, Word Gets Around, in terms of production, songwriting, and performance. From the brutal opener of Roll Up and Shine to the storming rockers like The Bartender and The Thief, Half of the Lies You Tell Ain't True, and T-Shirt Sun Tan, to the pretty She Takes Her Clothes Off, I Wouldn't Believe Your Radio, and Plastic California, this album is rock-solid (pun intended!). The closer is a little long-winded and repetitive, and there are some limp ballads (Just Looking, Hurry Up and Wait) but overall, this is a solid album!

hit and miss...mostly miss

if you can get past the grating voice of the lead singer, you might find this album mildly enjoyable. The record is very schizophrenic and doesn't really put a stamp on what it's trying to do. The band is at their best when they ease off the pedal and put some rythum into their music. There are three great songs on this album - Hurry Up and Wait, A Minute Longer and I Stopped to Fill My Car Up - that exemplify the band's strength. But anytime they try and reach beyond their capabilities, the music falls apart. Having said that, the 3 great songs, along with 4 or 5 more decent ones, are worth the money. It's not the greatest album in the world, but it's not bad.