Stereophonics

Editor's Review:

A CD cover can say a thousand words.

The image on the cover of this CD is a parody of Robert Doisneau's 1950 black and white photo, "The Kiss at Le Hotel De Ville." But this time, the woman is leaning in a languid posture and rolling her eyes as her lover attempts to create a romantic moment. Stereophonics must have recognized this side of their music all along. This British band goes into more detail on the inside cover with a full spread of the picture including two more guys hugging their girlfriends amongst the people walking by. Unlike some CD covers that have nothing to do with anything, this image describes it all. I was immediately attracted to the CD because I've got that poster in my bedroom, and hey, maybe it had some good slow songs on it.

And just like that, Stereophonics sucked in my heart. Not surprisingly, the music of Performance and Cocktails has this neo-romantic quality similar to that of bands like the New Radicals and Goo Goo Dolls-the sensitive male bands who like to rock during the day and then write sobbing lyrics about their emotions and relationships at night. But Stereophonics does jam pretty well, and they have a unique sound.

"Hurry Up and Wait" is one of the mushier songs; it sounds really cute the first time, but perhaps the lady on the cover heard it one too many times 'cause that's kind of how it made me feel. They continue with their stories of love with songs like "Pick a Part That's New" and "Just Looking," and one listen proves that you can sometimes judge a book by its cover.

Bookmark:

Record Label V2 Music Limited Released January 1980

Tracks Roll Up And Shine The Bartender And The Thief Hurry Up And Wait Pick A Part That's New Just Looking Half The Lies You Tell Ain't True I Wouldn't Believe Your Radio T-Shirt Sun Tan Is Yesterday, Tomorrow, Today? A Minute Longer She Takes Her Clothes Off Plastic California I Stopped To Fill My Car Up