Supergrass - Diamond Hoo Ha

Here's a case against the idea that you mature into something more refined as you grow older. While in their heyday the Supergrass sound was youthful, exciting and a bit naughty, they've become, well, nothing to shout about really. The anticipation for something that'll spark that energy again just dies after a while. There's nothing here; nothing sticks, there's no melody that embeds itself in the brain, nothing nagging to be hummed and no turn of phrase that'll cause a smile as it fits your worldview. This all maybe seems a wee bit harsh on the Oxford lads: the last 30 seconds of 345 has some guts, there's an interesting break/sax solo in the middle of The Return Of…, and Rough Knuckles has a nice, slightly disco bass sound, but these moments are few and far between. If we apply the 'if you leave wine, will it become vintage or vinegar' dichotomy here, this is virtually undrinkable. [Matt Gollock]