Supergrass
Life On Other Planets

“The boys are back in town” and fortunately for us, they have no desire to grow up. Eight years after the multi-award-winning “I Should Coco” (3 platinum discs), which introduced them to the general public, here comes the fourth effort from the Oxford combo. It adds nothing new to what the band has previously showcased, but it confirms, if ever there was a need, the spirit that has always driven their guitar-rock: a great sense of humor, sincere immediacy, and catchy melodies. Once again, the Supergrass style perfectly combines with the precious teachings of the British pop-rock school, both new and old. The inevitable Beatles come to mind in “Evening Of The Day”, “Seen The Light” could have been written by T.Rex while “Grace” without the Small Faces might never have been written, and again Stones, Kinks, Jam, Buzzcocks, influences that Gaz and company cannot deny. Continuing through the 12 tracks of the album, we can also appreciate the interesting attempts where the band tries to momentarily distance themselves from their already well-established sound. Then we also notice the quick punk-song “Never Done Nothing Like That Before”, the barely concealed tribute to Madness in the ska of “Brecon Beacons” or the vaguely psychedelic instrumental intro of “Prophet 15” which for a moment brings to mind Air's “The Virgin Suicides”. “L.O.O.P.” can be highly effective in those moments of leisure and carefreeness that become necessary after heavy indulgence in so-called “serious” music with a high melancholy content, and it will especially be appreciated by those who, despite the weight of the years, occasionally hum “we are young/we run green...see the sights/feel alright”.