Label: V2 Music

Release Date: June 2, 2003

Website: www.stereophonics.com

Stereophonics - You Gotta Go There to Come Back
Dan MacIntosh

If you've never heard the Stereophonics, just imagine a younger Rod Stewart doing original alternative rock, and you'll have yourself a good approximation of the direction You Gotta Go There To Come Back travels. All these Stereophonics songs were written and produced by Stewart sound-alike, Kelly Jones. These days, the original Rod The Mod is making a mint by rerecording old standards. But this band puts a melancholy rasp over a slightly funky Led Zeppelin rock crunch, in order to create its vibe. And for the most part, this musical approach works.

The downside to Stereophonics stereo experiments, however, is that they have a tendency to run together and sound too much the same after a while. Exceptions include the lighter soul touch of "Maybe Tomorrow," the acoustic guitar driven "You Stole My Money Honey" and the big horns that power "Climbing The Wall." Rod Stewart may not be on the creative cutting edge any longer, but at least he's applying what's left of his sandpaper voice to memorable songs. Stereophonics’ songs are filling, but they rarely leave an appetizing taste in your ears.

The Stereophonics need to go back there – wherever "there" is – and bring back some stronger songs next time, or it’s going to be mighty hard to hook anybody on its recycled phonics.

posted 02.29.04

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Dan is the lifeline to banjo virtuosi everywhere (courtesy of Googlism). E-mail him at dmacinto@elite.com

2003 White Elephant Productions