Search - Super Furry Animals :: Rings Around the World (Bonus CD)

Cripes, This Is Good!

Ben C-F | Minneapolis, MN United States | 04/25/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"You know, with this release and the last couple Gorky's Zygotic Mynci albums, I'm starting to suspect (nay, hope) that the best, and most influential, pop music right now is coming from strange Welsh bands with brilliant names. Not only is RINGS AROUND THE WORLD a teriffic album, it's arguably the best new album I've heard in a very long time (maybe since Sigur Ros). Everything about this album is great, from the production to the vocals to the pop culture references, to the songs themselves, it's all top-notch.The most intriguing thing about this album is the way it combines so many different influences, from so many different genres, and makes it all sound both unique, and perfectly natural. Beyond the obvious Beatle/Beach Boys nods, I pick up references to Elvis Costello, Beck, Neil Young, Harry Nillson, the entire Stax catalogue, the list goes on and on. Basically, any semi-popular, semi-influential band in the last 30 years seemed to make an impression on this band, and they turn up here in various ways, sometimes within one song ("Receptacle For The Respectable," for instance, opens with a bouyant 1964-era Beatle romp, then slows things down to a nice mid-70's Elton John ballad, takes a brief excursion into "Cool Cool Water"-era Brian Wilson-- complete with Sir Paul McCartney munching on veggies-- before finally bringing it home with Chemical Brothers-esque sonic textures and a bit of Korn grumbling), and the effect is both staggering and really, really neato.The lyrics are a treat as well, usually inventive wordplays ("You came to me in piece, and you left me in pieces"), a couple very nasty turns ("Don't try me for sympathy; I don't feel sorry for thee; You deserve to die"), and really interesting takes on religious fanatacism ("Run Christian Run," a somewhat cynical tome set to a tune that's pure Pink Floyd) and even the whole Monica Lewinsky debacle ("Presidential Suite"). There are a few moments when the music does get rather cheesy ("Juxtaposed With U" has some nice lyrics but the melody is quite gewwy), but by and large this is a remarkably consistent album. The second CD of bonus tracks is great to, icing on an already gourmet cake.So, in other words, I really reccommend this one! You won't be disappointed, unless you're expecting something like Radiohead, which this isn't (it's better, frankly), or if you're not really into impossibly catchy ear candy with substance. There's nothing really new here, and other bands have attempted this before, but one thing's for sure-- these guys got it right."

This is just flat out awesome music

Robert Moore | Chicago, IL USA | 03/06/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have to admit to coming to Super Furry Animals rather late in the game. I am unfamiliar with their earlier albums (though I plan on rectifying that very soon), so I didn't know what to expect except that the album had come highly recommended by my brother. There are so many very good things that I would like to say about this one. First and foremost, it is immensely enjoyable, and by that I mean that a large number of the cuts engender a sense of joy while listening. I hate metaphors that cut across genres, but you know the way that champagne fizzles in the mouth when you drink it? Well, that is almost how I feel when I hear these great songs. Second, although all the songs are great, each one manages to be great in a way that depends in no way on the other songs. For instance, the title cut sounds like the Beach Boys processed through alternative, punk, and power pop. It both sounds like the Beach Boys, and doesn't, but either way does not sound like any other song on the album. Similarly, the boys in the band see fit to raid at random the entire rock and roll songbook. In a couple of spots they actually use the same guitar/voice synthesizer that Peter Frampton popularized. They constantly sound completely original and yet very much like someone else. This willingness to create new syntheses from a huge range of musical influences is one thing that a host of the more creative current bands in rock have in common.



This is also one of those rare albums that completely justifies being issued on two CDs. This is not a function of insufficient discipline in editing: there simply is a lot of great music. From the very first song with the enticing title "Alternate Route to Vulcan Street" through a host of superb songs, this is just great stuff. Some of my favorite include the title track, the stellar "Receptacle for the Respectable," or "Juxtaposed with U" (which uses the Peter Frampton synthesizer, and in other ways sounds as if it warped straight out of some seventies soundtrack), and "Sidewalk Serfer Girl." The bonus disc contains many cuts just as excellent as those on the original disc, making the American version of the album an amazing bargain for the price.



What especially intrigues me about these guys is that several things I have read indicates that many people prefer some of their earlier albums. If they have done stuff better than this, then I can barely wait."

Man, can you say COOL AS HELL!!

Robert Moore | 08/01/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first heard about SFA when they received a mention on the VH1 show "Fresh". I was intrigued by the video clip they showed for "It's Not the End of the World?" and bought the cd a little while later. The first time I listened to this cd, I was blown away at how diverse this band is, yet their songs are always rooted in some form of britpop. The musical styles on this album range from (of course) britpop, techno, noise rock, glam rock, prog, trip hop, '70s soul, pschydelia and many others. As previous reviews have stated, the influences of such greats as The Beatles, Beach Boys, Elvis Costello and Elton John are apparent. I also noticed a few similarities to people like Radiohead, Barry White and Basement Jaxx.
My favorite tracks are:
Alternate Route to Vulcan Street--sounds like a reject from Amnesiac by Radiohead. Very gentle, eerie melody with piano and drum machines.Rings around the World--the glam rock influeneces are really easy to see on this track. Catchy as anything I 've ever heard.It's Not the End of the World--sounds like something that could have been on Pet Sounds or Abbey Road. Great, great song.Juxtaposed with U--an intersting mix of '70s smooth soul and '90s alternative techno. Me and my friends always sing along with the chorus.Run, Christian! run--the most beautiful song on the album. squiggly synthesizers meet up with a horn section and make for the best seven minutes of your life. What else can I say? "Rings Around the World" by Super Furry Animals is the perfect introduction this band's unique musical style and will be one the best albums you buy this year."