Stereophonics/ Oochya!

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Stereophonics/ Oochya!

Genre: Alternative rock

Label: Ignition Records

Rating; *** 1/2

Welsh band Stereophonics arrived on the scene in 1997, carrying forward the sonic style set by alternative acts like Oasis, James and Supergrass. Adding a bit of a U2 hangover, Kelly Jones' vocal genius and well-constructed songs, they attracted a faithful audience with the albums Word Gets Around, Performance And Cocktails and Just Enough Education To Perform.

The consistency continued for a decade, with  Stereophonics even attracting classic rock followers, besides younger alternative rock buffs. Sadly, their style became dated, and later albums received a lukewarm response. Their 12th record Oochya! has been released to mark the silver jubilee.

Originally, Jones had planned a greatest hits compilation, but decided to pick out a few unreleased songs from the cupboard, write a few new songs and yet retain the earlier style. The result may be formulaic on the one hand, but on the other, most of songs that reflect earlier glory. It's a play-safe album, maybe a little less cutting-edge, but it works.

Besides writing all songs and delivering vocals, Jones plays lead guitar and keyboards, displaying a very car-friendly tone. Assisting him are bassist Richard Jones (no relation), rhythm guitarist Adam Zindani and drummer Jamie Morrison. Over an hour long, the 15 tracks are a good mix of uptempo rockers, country-inspired ballads and a few variations.

The opener 'Hanging On Your Hinges' has a dazzling mix of punk-rock energy and ZZ Top-styled solos, with lines like, "You got love, you got hate, you got lost, well have faith, you got time, you got youth, you got fools, who just use".

Jones' singing is on excellent shape on the melodic 'Forever', where he sings, "Wish I could fly away for forever, wish I could take your pain for you and release you". The next track 'When You See It' has smart time changes and a beautiful pick-up towards the end.

The power ballad 'Do You Feel My Love' is classic 1990s Britpop with distorted guitars, angst-filled vocals and a high-energy climax. 'Right Place Right Time' has a nice country twang, as Jones sings, "Where'd I be now, if I hadn't met you, right place right time". Predictable but effective.

Most of the songs are about relationships, with a judicious mix of bitter and sweet, fast and slow. Rhe acoustic-driven 'Leave The Light On' and the piano-backed 'Every Dog Has A Day' add variety to the  mix. 'Running Round My Brain" seems more like Beatles-influenced Oasis, but makes up with a punchy guitar part.

Besides Jones' lead guitar, Zindani's rhythm guitar is one of the highlights, most evident on 'You're My Soul'. And though 'All I Have Is You' seems to ramble on and 'Jack In The Box' is quite uncharacteristic to close the album, the end result is one of the band's better albums over the past 15 years. Most importantly, Jones displays his vocal brilliance consistently.

It does stretch towards the end. Maybe they should have cut it down by three songs. Or better still, kept those three songs for their 50th year celebration.