Hammer15

It's good to have them back but there is a spark missing here, understandably so. It's too much to wish for another DMS/Coming Up but we get a little bit of both which is nice. If only they'd released this album instead of Head Music at the time...

Music for people who have a blue WKD where their heart should be.

Just kidding. Fantastic piece Mike, brought back a lot of memories. Was 18 in 1997 and was buying music for the first time with my first proper job. I remember it was James' 'Whiplash' and Supergrass' 'In It For The Money' that set me on my way. Got half of the albums above, but it was 'Vanishing Point' that was the game changer. (Oh and the Kenickie album - that was the sound of the summer...)

Despite always trying to find new music, I realised reading this piece that I'll be banging on about 1997 to my kids in the same way that baby-boomers bang on about 1967.

I enjoyed Spotifridays but this is a much easier resource to dip in and out of. Good work Sean

..then I'm glad I didn't get a ticket.

I love the Roses, but to paraphrase them, the past was theirs. And the future's ours

..is one of the best segues on any record anywhere.

Thought their album '04' was very underrated as well.

It's a really good album from start to finish. Forever was my favourite song for years, just makes you feel ten feet tall when listening to it

I like the fact they're prepared to give the experimental stuff a go. And besides, give me an album of five great songs and some crap over a dozen average songs any day.

Have had this for about a month and you're right about picking Silly Bears, Another Sky, Light Emerges and Cast A Net as the standouts (I'd add Island to that list). They're all brilliant, and Light Emerges in particular just sounds stellar. The album earns its 8/10 just on those songs alone.

Trouble is, the rest of the album doesn't come even remotely close to the songs above. Maybe in 20 listens time or something I'll get it, but I'm struggling. In the meantime I'm tempted to put the best of this album into a playlist with the best of Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free (which had the very same problem of inconsistency) and pretend I've put together the best psych-rock album of the last 20 years

the most indiepop album cover of all time.

It was Miller serving Krauss in the restaurant, rather than the other way round.

Top album though and a good review. I wonder if they have any more tricks in them though. They might have a shelf life of one album, like a louder Go! Team.