Supergrass are vexing. Their music is catchy and varied, and with it they've enjoyed much success. They have all the right connections - sharing both record label and management with another Oxford band called Radiohead.
But it's a decade since I Should Coco, and now they're... supporting Coldplay. Their last record was called Life On Other Planets - yet it seems they're one lift-off short of the stratosphere. Why?
Such bemusement is set to continue when Planets' successor, Road To Rouen, hits the shops. Lead single St Petersburg is as good a place to start as any with what is, even by this band's standards, an eclectic recording.
St Petersburg feels like the soundtrack to a journey across a vast expanse of land, with much distracting scenery to beguile along the way. Full of reverberating piano, brushed drums, subtle acoustic guitar touches and echo-heavy, world-weary vocals, there's even a mournful string section accompaniment.
If you still thought Richard III and the pub singalong that was Alright defined the quintessential Supergrass sound, prepare to be singularly - and pleasantly - surprised.
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