Stereophonics
Album: Keep the Village Alive
Label: Stylus
Tracks: 10
Website: http://www.stereophonics.com

Say what you like about Stereophonics, but Kelly Jones has always had a way with a story in his songs - and generally speaking the closer to where he came from those stories sound the better the songs that carry them are. Gutsy, romantic, with just a hint of studiously acquired decadence, the 'phonics' back catalogue is an earnest place for honest tunes. Made in Wales.

Somehow the band has survived more ups and downs than most (all?) of their contemporaries without losing their status as arena-packers extraordinaire or pandering to either critics or fans. In short, Jones has seen to it that Stereophonics stick to their guns and do things his way.

However, last time out - the patchy Graffiti On the Train album - they sounded like they were trying too hard to pull it off. It was short on puff, heavy on bluster and in need of some inspiration, but still delivered platinum sales and delighted the fan base.

So they get to do it all again with Keep the Village Alive, a rock 'n' rollicking jaunt around the places they've known all their lives. Jones surveys where he's been and offers the odd glimpse behind the curtain - I Wanna Get Lost With You laments simpler times, Sing Little Sister is the sound of a moment's pure joy and Fight or Flight captures the stance that has seen him personally and the band collectively through some sticky times.

The fly in the ointment comes in the album's boldest moment, the string-laden My Hero, which starts out like an ordinary man's tribute to the greatest person that ever lived and ends up running out of steam and resorting to sentimental cliché. The fact the track is sort of hidden away halfway through would be traditionally have been side two suggests that perhaps they know it too and maybe there are ideas here that will bear fuller fruit in the future.

However, like the pros they so patently are, balance is restored by the album's out, the staunch and steadfast closer Mr and Mrs Smith. It's the perfect reminder that while many bands of their vintage are content to settle for the steady returns of a heritage act with a predictable set list of hits, Stereophonics are still taking risks, still pushing their art and (by the sound of it) still having a ball.

Nick Churchill
www.thegranvillechambers.co.uk