Stereophonics - Word Gets Around (1997) [EAC - FLAC](oan)

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[Wikipedia]
Word Gets Around is the debut album by Welsh rock band Stereophonics.
The songs are credited to all three band members; singer/guitarist Kelly Jones,
bassist Richard Jones and drummer Stuart Cable, while the lyrics were written by Kelly Jones.
The album reached #6 in the UK Albums Chart and is the only Stereophonics album not to reach #1.
Much of the album is written about everyday life in Cwmaman.
[All Music Guide]
(by Jason Damas)
In the late '90s, a rash of Welsh rock bands emerged, among them Catatonia, Super Furry Animals,
60 Ft. Dolls, and the Stereophonics. On the surface, the Stereophonics' gritty rock & roll seems
relatively uninspired, but upon close listen Word Gets Around proves to be a very accomplished debut.
Vocalist/guitarist Kelly Jones' vocals are raw and rip the songs apart, as his loud, arena-ready
guitar assault gives every track a gritty edge. Jones' lyrics are also of note; highly poetic and
meaningful, he writes about the underbelly of a small town. The anthemic opener, the outrageously
catchy "A Thousand Trees," details how a respected high school athletic coach ruined his career
through a lurid sexual encounter with a female student, and the quick, jagged "More Life in a
Tramp's Vest" displays the view of the world through the eyes of a supermarket bag boy.
Word Gets Around isn't all about hard rockers, though; the hit "Traffic" is a beautifully constructed
ballad that works marvelously when a juxtaposition is made between the music and Jones'
rough vocal styling. While Word Gets Around occasionally suffers from blandness,
it is a remarkably accomplished debut LP.
[Pitchfork Media]
(by Brent DiCrescenzo)
Sylvan buskers, the Stereophonics, are part of the lumberjacking post- britpop fringe that looks to
bury the teenybop and sassy- asses of post- Blur bands somewhere out in the northern hills. Trouble is,
the Stereophonics brand of straight- up, blister- handed, beer- and- buddies rock-n-roll is pretty bland
and not very fun. At best, they sound like the Manic Street Preachers sans- pizzaz. The Stereophonics,
while truthfully writing some good tunes, just never get past the second tier level of British bands,
doomed to play the muddy small stages of Glastonbury at noon-- serviceable, yet disposable.
Filled with heartfelt ballads and socio- political soapboxing, the Stereophonics are the British equivalent
of a H.O.R.D.E. tour band. I think their problem is that they sound too American. They could be from Oregon.
They seem like the types that wear flannel, hike, and condone recycling. Fitting,
as they rehash classic rock riffs from the '70s and repaste 'em into jangly pub structures. Aside from a few
hummable singles, the Stereophonics will sadly disappear forgotten. It's all just too flavorless and generic.
Fortunately, they live in a welfare state.
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1. (00:03:03) - A Thousand Trees
2. (00:02:32) - Looks Like Chaplin
3. (00:02:20) - More Life In A Tramp's Vest
4. (00:03:22) - Local Boy In The Photograph
5. (00:04:54) - Traffic
6. (00:04:37) - Not Up To You
7. (00:02:43) - Check My Eyelids For Holes
8. (00:04:00) - Same Size Feet
9. (00:02:46) - Last Of The Big Time Drinkers
10. (00:03:03) - Goldfish Bowl
11. (00:05:03) - Too Many Sandwiches
12. (00:03:45) - Billy Davey's Daughter
Playing Time.........: 00:42:08
Total Size...........: 288.97 MB
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Included.............: INFO, SFV, LOG, CUE, Flac Fingerprint
Artwork..............: Front Back CD @ 600dpi in PDF