Ocean Colour Scene - Saturday

“Hundred mile high city” croaks Ocean Colour Scene’s Simon Fowler seconds into ninth album Saturday, delivering a message interpretable two ways. One: “as far as we’re concerned, this album is up there with The Ones People Know. New fans may be scarce, but those who’ve doggedly stuck with us, loyally ingesting every bland addition to our catalogue of lager-stained ‘anthems’ and wobbly-voiced ballads will love this, because they recognise top quality song-writing – Real Music, if you will – when they hear it. We aren’t scared to quote our past. We are as proud of Saturday as we were of Marchin’ Already.” Two: “our inspiration died years ago. Saturday achieves the odd triumph, but, let’s be honest, things aren’t exactly progressing. So we’ll foreground the stagnation, because on its own terms, this album ain't that bad – a bit dull, it’s true, but generally accomplished and tuneful.”  Your pick. [Chris Buckle]