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THE REVIEW
OK, the deal goes like this: you buy the latest Stereophonics album, pop it into the player and the first track "Help Me" starts, a rock song tinged with blues that carries Kelly Jones' raspy voice through every single consonant along a nice rhythm that doesn't bore; you start thinking "Well, though... not bad...".
You skip the second track, because all the TVs and radios do nothing but remind you that Maybe Tomorrow You'll Find Your Way... HOME!!!
By the time you reach song number 3, "Madame Helga", you're hit with a blast of hard, powerful rock'n'roll (a song worthy of the best Black Crowes): you really start to hope, even believe, that the trio from Cwmaman is back if not to their 1997 form (where every song was a punch in the stomach to anyone with delicate ears), then at least to their 1999 version where a non-disdainable rock-pop-oasis had charmed your hearing for a few days.
The beacon of hope turns off from track number 4 and never lights up again.
Important news: the Stereophonics have lost themselves in who knows what musical genre, trying to do some blues (making us sleepy), some rock (but very little), some country (but really badly) and they've become boring.
It's true, there are some new elements, like in "I'm Alright” (some nice drum loops) or in "I Miss You Now" (different lyrics overlapping for a strange effect) but everything turns out really drowsy.
If "Just Enough Education To Perform" didn’t convince you, think ten times before purchasing "You Gotta Go There To Come Back". This album will delight the most die-hard fans, those who are there to support their favorites no matter what; the truth is, the only song that's worth it, perhaps, is the acoustic ballad that closes the album. "Since I Told You It's Over" is indeed a little gem that shows us Kelly Jones not trying to imitate someone else, but singing a beautiful pop song, with a nice lyric reminding us that perhaps an unplugged album would have been better than this shapeless work.
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Summary by Bot
This review critiques Stereophonics' album 'You Gotta Go There To Come Back' for lacking focus musically and failing to match the band's earlier successes. While some tracks like 'Madame Helga' show promise, most fail to engage, with a few attempts at blues, rock, and country coming off as dull. The only highlight noted is the closing acoustic ballad, 'Since I Told You It's Over.' Die-hard fans may still find value, but casual listeners should be cautious.
Stereophonics
Stereophonics are a Welsh rock band fronted by Kelly Jones, known for hook-heavy British rock and Jones’ distinctive raspy vocal style.23 Reviews
