By Brian Kelly

ALBUMS

‘Supernature’ Goldfrapp
Is Alison Goldfrapp the best British vocalist singer since Kate Bush? On the evidence of Supernature, the evidence M’Lord, is like Miss Goldfrapp’s talent-overwhelming.

On her 3rd album, Goldfrapp along with songwriting partner Will Greenway have taken a visit to the synthpop world of Human League and Depeche Mode. They’ve liked what they’ve heard, added in a little 70’s disco glamour of their own and produced one of the delectable sounds of the year.

The seduction starts from the first song. Ooh la, la might sound like Spirit in the Sky, but with a voice like a warm kiss on a cold night, who’s complaining.

Lovely 2 CU and Ride a White Horse follow to even greater effect before we slow the disco down foe You never Know and let it take you.

Such is the strength of Supernature, that every song could be a single. Essential.

‘Road to Rouen’ Supergrass
Road to Roeun is new terrority for Gaz Coombes and the boys. After last year’s best of complimation, Supergrass is 10, the band descended on Normandy to record their 5th studio album in 10 years.

Whether it was the bucolic setting or the ageing process, but there is definitely a new sound at play here. There’s no Caught by the Fuzz, Alright or Pumping on your Stereo here. Instead the mood is reflective, mellow, and even melancholic in places with Coffee in the Pot, the only obvious sign of the old Supergrass.

The album is a bit of a slow burner; it takes a few listens for the quality to percolate through but stay with the Road to Rouen. It’s a worthwhile trip.

‘Our Shadows Will Remain’ Joseph Arthur
Ohio-born Joseph Arthur is not too well known ‘round these parts, but hopefully his star will be in the ascendancy after the release of this, his first album to be released on the Irish market.

If you have heard of his classic song ‘In The Sun’ or indeed his version of ‘Wild Horses’ on the Faultline album last year, you know the power and beauty of his voice, but on Our Shadows will Remain, his songwriting skills are given full focus with an album of brooding power and emotion.

This is a quite a moody record in places with the musical colours definitely on the dark side on tracks like ‘Stumble and Pain’, ‘Failed’ and ‘Leave Us Alone’.

The album is beautifully balanced though by the light of ‘Echo Park’, ‘Even Tho’ and the sublime ‘A Smile that Explodes’. All through the album you can do nothing but admire the stirring melodies, superb arrangements and a voice as varied as the music itself.

Forget about the Gray’s, Casey’s and Blunt’s of this world. Joseph Arthur has raised the bar for singer/songwriters everywhere with this record. Seek out and enjoy.

‘Lovecraft’ Super Furry Animals.
The Furrys have been around a long time ploughing their own brand of spaced out/early 70’s Welsh pop. The quality of their songwriting and power of their live shows has meant they have long since passed over from cult act into mainstream acceptance and adulation.

On this their 7th album, the quirkiness and idiosyncrasies of Super Furry Animals remain, even if the mood has mellowed over the years. Musically, the band seemed to have thrown everything into the mix on Lovecraft. From retro to folk to tripped out pop and funk, the Furrys have created their own smorgasbord sound, which gets better with every listen.

‘Ohio Heat’ is the smoothest 60’s pop song you’ll ever hear. ‘Can I Walk You Home’ is a lush 70’s ballad and ‘Back on a Roll’ is a self- referential country pop song with cowboys whopping it up in the background. If there is anything I have left out, you’ll probably hear it eventually on Lovecraft, as good an introduction to SFA you are ever likely to need.