Originally published in The Aquarian Weekly

June 11, 2008

Supergrass

Diamond Hoo Ha

Astralwerks

Ah, the joys of Britpop. Supergrass is one

of the pioneering bands of the genre, and

with their sixth album they have outlasted

nearly all of their contemporaries. They

were so young when they first appeared

on the scene that even fourteen years and

six albums later, the band members are still

in their twenties.

Supergrass has always been known

for their upbeat, humorous songs, but on

their last album, 2005’s Road to Rouen,

they took a sharp turn in the direction of

something more pastoral and reflective.

While the album was adored by critics,

for Diamond Hoo Ha Supergrass has

decided to return to the sound and style

that made them fan favorites in the first

place.

So off the band trundled to the legendary

Hansa Studios in Berlin, where they

employed producer Nick Launay (Arcade

Fire, Nick Cave, Yeah Yeah Yeahs) to capture

them doing what they do best. All good pop

music is filled with references and influences

from other bands and eras, and this music

is no exception. Supergrass also proves to

be willing to absorb some of what’s going

with on with the new musicians on the scene.

Ziggy-era Bowie informs the should-be-a-hit

“Rebel In You,” and there’s more than a

little bit of the Arctic Monkeys in the herk

and jerk of “Rough Knuckles.”

Supergrass fans rejoice. The boys are

back in town. If you’re not yet a fan, this is

a great place to start.

In A Word:Madcap

Grade: B+

—by Ken Shane