Stereophonics

Defining the phrase "meat and potatoes" rock in the grand tradition of say, Rory Gallagher, the most remarkable thing about this…

Defining the phrase "meat and potatoes" rock in the grand tradition of say, Rory Gallagher, the most remarkable thing about this young Welsh trio is their popularity.

An army of lads with crew cuts and Adidas tops leapt up and down with their womenfolk to the strains of blue-collar observations on life and big guitars - passionate and earnest like a more down-beat U2 circa The Joshua Tree, but not so good on the memorable hooks.

To be fair, Stereophonics have only two albums to their name and make no claim to be the saviours of the world. Singer/guitarist Kelly Jones does have a great voice and there are moments that verge on a great chorus or chord change, but only a handful of tunes really rise above the norm.

Too much of their material merely plods where it should soar.

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Pick A Part That's New, the new single, and Plastic California from the current album - which was featured live almost in its entirety - were high points, while a beefy cover of The Kinks' Sunny Afternoon did not feel out of place.

But their biggest and most recent hit, Just Looking, is by far their best work to date and would have been welcome a little earlier in the show. Judge for yourself with a complete broadcast on Radio Ulster, May 13th.