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Language. Sex. Violence. Other?

 
Album Review: Language. Sex. Violence. Other?

  • Artist: Stereophonics
  • Rating: StarStarStarHalf Star
  • Release Date: March 22, 2005
  • Type: Lyrics are included with the album
  • Genre: Rock

Review

Stereophonics frontman Kelly Jones roars "Cuz all I wanna do/Is make a mess outta you" on "Doorman," one of many white-hot blowouts from the band's fifth album, Language. Sex. Violence. Other? The album title borrows from the classification code used on the backs of DVDs, and its blunt display instantly pulls listeners toward Stereophonics' nonchalant chutzpah. Jones and bassist Richard Jones have never sounded more brash. The punk-inspired spark that made their 1997 debut, Word Gets Around, so impressive is rekindled. This 11-song set, which features quick and curt one-word song titles, is matched with sex appeal and an unshakable confidence. Argentinean-born Javier Weyler, who replaced founding drummer Stuart Cable in 2004, is a great fit with Stereophonics' wicked yet sensitive personality. Songs such as the smoldering bass funk of "Brother," the crunchy drop-kick of "Girl," and the glossy guitar hooks of "Dakota" find Stereophonics' second coming to be a convincing one. Jones' signature vocal grit saunters around the bravado of "Superman" and slow wax of "Pedalpusher" particularly well. This is the studio record they've been dying to make. While their previous four albums all showcased great moments, Stereophonics never fully realized their full-throttled power until Language. Sex. Violence. Other? Previous singles like "Madame Helga" and "The Bartender and the Thief" were mere glimpses into what this Welsh rock threesome could do if they just built upon their thick, merciless riffs and Jones' rough-edged vocals. Language. Sex. Violence. Other? is such an intense studio record. Stereophonics could not have nailed it any better. ~ MacKenzie Wilson, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track TitleComposersPerformersTime
Superman (Lyrics) Kelly Jones Stereophonics (5:07)
Doorman (Lyrics) Kelly Jones Stereophonics (3:49)
Brother (Lyrics) Kelly Jones Stereophonics (4:04)
Devil (Lyrics) Kelly Jones Stereophonics (4:40)
Dakota (Lyrics) Kelly Jones Stereophonics (4:57)
Rewind (Lyrics) Kelly Jones Stereophonics (4:46)
Pedal Pusher Kelly Jones Stereophonics (3:18)
Girl (Lyrics) Kelly Jones Stereophonics (1:59)
Lolita (Lyrics) Kelly Jones Stereophonics (3:26)
Deadhead (Lyrics) Kelly Jones Stereophonics (3:34)
Feel (Lyrics) Kelly Jones Stereophonics (3:44)

Credits

Erik Aldrey (Assistant), Javier Weyler (Drums), Richard Jones (Bass), Dan Garnett (Management), Kelly Jones (Mixing), Kelly Jones (Group Member), Dick Beetham (Mastering), Kelly Jones (Guitar), Javier Weyler (Group Member), Kelly Jones (Vocals), Kelly Jones (Producer), Natalie Seymour (Management), James Lowe (Mixing), Richard Jones (Group Member), James Lowe (Producer), Kelly Jones (Piano), James Lowe (Engineer), Steve McNichol (Digital Editing), Graham Rounthwaite (Art Direction)
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Wikipedia: Language. Sex. Violence. Other?
Top
Language. Sex. Violence. Other?
Studio album by Stereophonics
Released March 14, 2005
Recorded 2004–2005
Genre Rock
Length 43:49
Label V2 Records
Producer Kelly Jones, Jim Lowe
Professional reviews
Stereophonics chronology
You Gotta Go There to Come Back
(2003)
Language. Sex. Violence. Other?
(2005)
Live from Dakota
(2006)
Singles from Language. Sex. Violence. Other?
  1. "Dakota"
    Released: February 28, 2005
  2. "Superman"
    Released: June 20, 2005
  3. "Devil"
    Released: September 9, 2005
  4. "Rewind"
    Released: November 21, 2005

Language. Sex. Violence. Other? is the fifth studio album by Stereophonics, released March 14, 2005 (22 March 2005 in the U.S.). It received critical acclaim in the British music press, who had been hostile to the band in recent years, and notably the NME, whose reviews of the band's previous two albums had been harsh. The album reached number one in the UK, selling over 100,000 copies in its first week of release. It debuted at thirty-five on the U.S. Billboard Heatseekers chart.

The first single, "Dakota", was released on 28 February 2005. It became Stereophonics' biggest hit in the UK, reaching number one in the sales chart, and also topping the download chart, where it remained in the top ten for eleven weeks. The single received good reviews, James Masterton calling it the single of the year.

The single steadily gained ground on U.S. alternative rock radio. However, since the Stereophonics lacked a fanbase or previous popular success in America, the single was at a great disadvantage and was initially added to very few station playlists. Nevertheless, the popularity of the song and its championing by such stations as WBCN led "Dakota" slowly to gain airplay and playlist adds across the country over a period of many months. Eventually, "Dakota" become the first Stereophonics song to chart on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. It first charted on 9 July 2005, almost half a year after its original release. The song reached thirty-four on the chart.

The second UK single was "Superman", released on 20 June. It was added to BBC Radio 1's B-list, and moved to the A-list a few weeks later. The song reached thirteen in the singles chart; its low placing resulted from its edgier, harder feel compared to "Dakota," and its lack of download sales. Nevertheless, critic James Masterton gave it a positive review.

The third single was "Devil", released on 12 September 2005. The song was added to Radio 1's C-List but later moved to the B-List and it was also playlisted by XFM.

The album is the first to feature new drummer Javier Weyler. All songs have only one word in the title. The title of the song "Lolita" was inspired by Kelly Jones' baby daughter.

The song "Deadhead" was previously released as a demo version under a different track name on the "Maybe Tomorrow" CD Single as "Royal Flush". This is the second time to date the band have released a full finished version of a demo track from a CD single of a previous album campaign, in which "Good to Go Out" from "Pick a Part That's New" was released two years later in 2001 on Just Enough Education to Perform, the track name however stayed the same. Though both CD singles are no longer available widespread, the tracks can currently be purchased on the UK iTunes Store on the digital version of the said singles.

Contents

Track listing

All tracks written by Kelly Jones.

  1. "Superman " – 5:07
  2. "Doorman" – 3:49
  3. "Brother" – 4:04
  4. "Devil" – 4:40
  5. "Dakota" – 4:57
  6. "Rewind" – 4:46
  7. "Pedalpusher" – 3:18
  8. "Girl" – 1:59
  9. "Lolita" – 3:26
  10. "Deadhead" – 3:34
  11. "Feel" – 3:44

OTHER SONGS

  1. "Long Way Round"
  2. "Soul"
  3. "Dapper Dan"
  4. "Brother"
  5. "Hammerhead"
  6. "Ooh La La"

Singles

Dakota

  • Released: 28 February 2005
  • Highest chart position: 1
  • CD1 — "Dakota", "Long Way Round".
  • CD2 — "Dakota", "Dakota" (Footswitch Rework), "Soul" (demo 9), "Dakota" (video).
  • DVD — "Dakota" (video), making of "Dakota", Dakota first rehearsals.
  • 7" — "Dakota", "Long Way Round".

Superman

  • Released: 20 June 2005
  • Highest chart position: 13
  • CD1 — "Superman", "Outside".
  • CD2 — "Superman", "I Wanna Be Your Dog", "Superman" (live from Milan), "Superman" (making-of video).
  • DVD — "Superman" (video), tour diary, lyrics page, photo gallery.
  • 7" — "Superman", "Outside".

Devil

  • Released: 19 September 2005
  • Highest chart position: 11
  • CD1 — "Devil", "Dapper Dan (Live from Bridge Tower Rehearsals)".
  • CD2 — "Devil", "Dakota (Live from New York), "Brother (Live from New York)", "Devil (video)".
  • 7" — "Devil" (album version), "Devil" (Footswitch rework)".

Rewind

  • Released: 21 November 2005
  • Highest chart position: 17
  • CD1 — "Rewind", "Hammerhead".
  • CD2 — "Rewind", "Ooh La La (Goldfrapp Cover From The Live Lounge With Jo Whiley On Radio 1)", "Maybe Tomorrow (Live)".
  • 7" — "Rewind", "Superman (MHC remix)".

References

External links

Preceded by
The Massacre by 50 Cent
UK number one album
March 27, 2005 – April 2, 2005
Succeeded by
The Definitive Collection by Tony Christie

 
 

 

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Album Review. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Language. Sex. Violence. Other?" Read more