After spending a dark, contemplative night on the Road to Rouen, Supergrass come crashing back to life with Diamond Hoo Ha, an album every bit as cheerfully gaudy and vulgar as its title. It all begins, as it should, with "Diamond Hoo Hah Man," a wicked send-up of the White Stripes' gonzo thump that rivals "Blue Orchid" and "Icky Thump" in its outsized swagger, while providing the touchstone for the rest of the record, not so much in its sound but in its attitude. Not that Supergrass doesn't crank the guitars here, as they offer up the stomping Stooges shuffle of "Bad Blood" and spangly "Rebel in You" in quick succession, but after this furious opening triptych, the band widens their net and lightens their touch, reconnecting with their signature impish humor that was quite deliberately missing on much of Road to Rouen despite its punning title. At times they actually overplay their mischief, overloading "Whiskey and Green Tea" with too much stylized British whimsy, it threatens to topple over on the weight of its braying brass. This isn't the only time that the band doesn't seem to fully have their urges under control, as there are a few pop tunes toward the end of the record that don't quite click as their hooks aren't finely honed. This is how Diamond Hoo Ha differs from 2002's incandescent Life on Other Planets which offered song after song that effortlessly dazzled. Here, Supergrass seem to labor a little to achieve such high times...but only toward the end of the record, which is solid and well-crafted but lacking the glorious, giddy highs the band offers at the beginning. However, that first half -- somewhat ironically ending after the jazzy soft rock sheen of "Return of Inspiration" -- holds its own with the best of Supergrass, filled with mammoth melodies and unbridled fun. It's more than enough to make Diamond Hoo Ha worth hearing, and it's just enough to illustrate the difference (and the merits) between inspiration and craft.
I wish I could say that my bags are packed…I wish I could say the house is the cleanest it's ever been…I wish I could say that all of our plans are set in stone while on our tripBUT I CAN'T!We are off tomorrow, gone for three weeks, vacationing in Europe (does that sound snooty…I think that sounds terribly snooty). Our itinerary is pretty easy going. We will be in the southwest region of F
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Brit-pop act Supergrass has premiered another music video for the second single off their sixth album Diamond Hoo Ha. The follow-up to 2005's Road to Rouen hits shelves on April 15th via Astrelworks. Here's the video for "Bad Blood":
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This is a great little single that really sounds good in the car. Worth a spin!
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I am trying to post.Look, it's working, lucky me.
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I am trying to post.Look, it's working, lucky me.
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I am trying to post.Look, it's working, lucky me.
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It's a special show this week -- it's the Best of 2008 (so far) show, featuring a countdown of the best albums of 2008 to date beginning at 11 a.m. Pacific Time. The segment is scheduled to run until 1 p.m.We will also have a late-afternoon visit from Conor Jonathan of one of our favorite Bay Area bands, [the] caseworker, whose music has gotten excellent listener feedback here on BAGeL Radio s...
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| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
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| 1 Diamond Hoo Ha Man |
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| 2 Bad Blood |
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| 3 Rebel in You |
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| 4 When I Needed You |
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| 5 345 |
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| 6 The Return of... |
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| 7 Rough Knuckles |
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| 8 Ghost of a Friend |
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| 9 Whiskey & Green Tea |
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| 10 Outside |
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| 11 Butterfly |
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 "Diamond Hoo Ha")
