If you were a student in the early '90s, get ready to feel rather old. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the formation of the original Wonder Stuff, and to mark this occasion, all of us who used to dance to Dizzy and Size Of A Cow at the local Student Union every weekend will have a plethora of releases to wade through. CD and DVD retrospectives, a book, and a tour and, um, a children's cartoon soundtrack - they're all on the way.
As is a brand new album, of which Blah Blah Lah Di Dah is the first taster. Unlike last year's Escape From Rubbish Island, which really did sound like a Miles Hunt record in all but name, this actually does sound like the Stourbridge lads of old. Irresistibly bouncy and full of energy, it possesses a trademark singalong chorus and Miles Hunt spitting out lyrics like "are you really still saying that you've been having a good time?". Although there are signs that Miles may be mellowing in his middle age: "you can call me cynical and I would only agree, and baby nobody's more ashamed of that than me". Ashamed of being cynical Miles? Surely not.
It's a welcome slap in the face to those who claim that this incarnation of the Wonder Stuff isn't the real deal (Hunt and Malc Treece remain the only original members). While not quite reaching the heights of the glory days, it does indicate that the Groove Machine is in very rude health.
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