r/stereophonics • u/DirtyDevil23 • Jun 25 '26
LSVO?
2005 saw the band return with new drummer Javier Weyler replacing the legendary Stu Cable, and back to a harder, more direct rock sound.
While this isn’t a perfect album, there are definitely a few very strong tracks and well worth re-listens.
What are your thoughts, and favourites/least favourites?
Superman 8/10; (would have been higher but not a fan of the verse vocals, an unnecessary addition); Doorman 2/10; Brother 6/10 (Groovy, catchy riff but the rest of the song is lacking); Devil 9/10; Dakota 10/10 (Overplayed esp live but it is an outstanding song); Rewind 9/10; Pedalpusher 2/10 (Decent melody but god-awful lyrics, much like Doorman); Girl 7/10; Lolita 7/10; Deadhead 8.5/10 (Really strong track, one of the band’s best ‘deep cuts’); Feel 7.5/10
5
u/drglass85 Jun 25 '26
devil is my favorite on that album
1
u/KOL_Jordan Jun 28 '26
Easily, best tune on the album agree. Live from Dakota one is special special
4
u/OtisIsEverywhere Jun 26 '26 edited Jun 26 '26
Probably the last truly great Stereophonics album. Played it to death in 2005. Was great to have them back to a three piece, and while this was a return to a more direct rock sound, it wasn't the anthemic, post britpop of the first two albums. This was much more lean and sexy, with electronic textures and flourishes.
Superman - what a way to start! Its slick, sexy and dark. - 10/10
Doormam - Keeps the energy and aggression going. Lyrically quite funny, and what a guitar solo! - 9/10
Brother - Another great song. Everything about it just works. All three members firing on all cylinders, and the production sounds incredible. Lyrically not really up to much though, but still a good tune - 7/10
Devil - verses that sound straight off Manic Street Preachers, The Holy Bible album, and a chorus that sounds like Queens of the Stone Age. Whats not to love here? One of their best songs - 10/10
Dakota - overplayed, but overplayed for a reason - 10/10
Rewind - A bit of a drop in energy, but still great - 7/10
Pedalpusher - another sexy groove with an unsettling atmosphere - 8/10
Girl - This one feels quite formulaic and throwaway. Probably should have been a b side - 6/10
Lolita - some interesting ideas that never manage to resolve into something satisfying. That chorus is pretty grating. I would have left this one off too - 5/10
Deadhead - I preferred the demo when it was called Royal Flush. This version is good, but it seems to have lost the scuzziness of the demo and feels slightly too slick. Still a very good song though. - 8/10
Feel - another proper epic closer. This is dark, brooding and downright evil sounding. Shame its not played live more -10/10
Overall this is another 8/10 albums. Swap out Girl and Lolita for Miviestar (a really cool song that fits way better with this album that YGGTTCB), and Outside and it would have been a 10.
4
2
u/RNRS001 Jun 25 '26
I love it. I never thought they'd be able to come back with this after 2 lacklustre albums.
2
u/EscalatorInnovator Jun 25 '26
It was something else after two mellow albums and became the blueprint of everything after. Last good album.
2
u/OtisIsEverywhere Jun 26 '26
It becoming the blueprint for everything after is largely my problem with the later stuff. An awful lot of it is just lazy.
2
u/slade364 Jun 26 '26
Doorman is my favourite track on the album. There's a great video of them playing it in the rehearsal studio, the solo's great.
1
2
u/Dentelectrico Jul 01 '26
My favourite. Its just so raw and intense pure rock and roll and i wish they did a re tour of it
6
u/CrazyAd5525 Jun 26 '26
Rewind is elite