I rather like the new Stereophonics song. OK?

kellyjones I rather like the new Stereophonics song. OK? In these days of hype-them-up, knock-them-down, never-hear-from-them-again bands, it’s easy to ignore acts that have been around a while, built up their fanbase, improved their “craft”, etc etc. Boring, innit, when instead you can have flash, brash youngsters sprinting out of the traps with their skinny jeans and winklepickers.
Even more boring when you take Stereophonics as an example of a band that has lasted a while. Sure, they’re beloved by the type of folk who like Ocean Colour Scene, but there’s always been something a tad too meat-and-potatoes about them for me.

“Dakota” was a nice surprise, though, and brought wee Kelly and the others their first number one single. Their current single, helpfully promoted by a spot of very rock n’roll brawling, is similarly strangely likeable. Albeit in a very FM power ballad kind of way (hey, I have as great a weakness for REO Speedwagon as much as the next guy).
Also, is it just me, or does the video cry out “PLAY ME ON MTV IN AMERICA”, with its US fire engines, city blocks and the like? Maybe the ‘phonics will be the latest Brits to crack the Billboard charts…