Road to Rouen [Import]

Amazon.com
When Supergrass released its excitable debut, I Should Coco a decade ago, the British trio (now a quartet) sounded so young, dumb and full-of-fun that Steven Spielberg thought they would make suitable candidates for a Monkees-style television show pairing infectious rock tunes with hilarious hi-jinks. As it turns out, the British group has followed the Monkees career path thoroughly, growing unexpectedly more somber with each of its successive releases, trading in shouty pop hits for plaintive retro-rock triumphs like "Pumping On Your Stereo" and "Moving." True to form, Road To Rouen, the band's fifth album, opens with the gentle "Tales of Endurance (Parts 4, 5 & 6)" and keeps the easy pace through melodic, string-filled highpoints such as "St. Petersburg" and "Roxy" - songs that confirm they're no longer monkeying around. "We welcome commercial suicide," sings frontman Gaz Coombes. --Aidin Vaziri

Road to Rouen,Supergrass,EMI/Parlophone,Rock

---

Road to Rouen [Import]

Average customer rating: Album of the Year The Best Short & Sweet Change Of Direction - Good Decision Supergrass returns with a very tight and focused album

Road to Rouen Supergrass Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britpop | British Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk-Pop | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Post Grunge | American Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Life on Other Planets In It for the Money Supergrass Supergrass Is 10: Best of 94-04 I Should Coco ASIN: B000B19BCG Release Date: 2005-09-27

Tracks:

1. Tales Of Endurance (Parts 4, 5 & 6)
2. St. Petersburg
3. Sad Girl
4. Roxy
5. Coffee In The Pot
6. Road To Rouen
7. Kick In The Teeth
8. Low C
9. Fin

Customer Reviews:

Album of the Year.......2007-07-15

Another solid album from the most consistant band of the last ten years.
Supergrass doesn't disappoint on this departure from earlier work. This is the darker Supergrass a more adult band. They're not the teenagers that got caught by the fuzz anymore but they can still rock as much as any other band still together. You know its them and you know they're evolving and moving in a new direction but hey aren't we all? I'm just glad to be along for the ride and listen to some awesome music.

The Best.......2006-08-30

The Best Supergrass cd out there. The sound of this cd is like no other. It has a "pop" ish feel that captures attention. Amazing

Short & Sweet.......2006-07-06

This band, once identified with by sullen, but not-too-serious, young stoners, made some really fun, and often rather frivolous music. Like many such groups, it risked the danger of becoming passe and running out of ideas very quickly -- or so I once thought. After turning on to their music through this latest CD, I've actually backtracked to their older stuff, much of which I admit I had only encountered before, in passing, as a music seller at Borders. Back then (late '90's) I did own a CD, which I taped a few songs from and then sold. I especially like the song "Grace," which is on the CD, SUPERGRASS IS 10 (Best Of), which I purchased AFTER hearing ROAD TO ROUEN. The music on this new effort, I'm happy to say, is the kind of work that could only be produced by musicians who have grown up some. It's adult, cogent, melodic and subtle. ROAD TO ROUEN does have some energy, even playfulness here and there, while it reveals a group that is relaxing and mellowing. Upon revisiting their older stuff, I can see why Supergrass have a loyal following. I hope they can keep it! "St. Petersburg" is catchy, and my favorite here, and the last two songs, "Low C" and "Fin" make an excellent, stirring finish. This album may be short, but it's sweet.

Change Of Direction - Good Decision.......2006-05-22

Not your typical Supergrass album in that there isn't really a standout, radio single on the album. This is more of a Sunday morning / 'road' trip through the countryside album that has the group maturing their sound and showing their musical talents in a subtle but easy to embrace sound. If you are looking for a catchy, danceable song; the first song might entice you. Parts of the song have a little bit of a Franz Ferdinand sound. And "Coffee In The Pot" has a silly, happy-go lucky Russian wedding ditty feel to it that only Supergrass could pull off. But for the most part `Road To Rouen' is a smooth, somewhat moody album that might take a few listens to warm up to. The warmth is worth the wait though.

Supergrass returns with a very tight and focused album.......2006-05-13

Supergrass has had an up-and-down career, starting with the blazing debut album "I Should Coco" in 1995, an album they are still trying to live up to, 10 years later. 2002's "Life on Other Planets", their most recent album before this one, divided the Supergrass fans, some thought is was outstanding, others (like me) were quite disappointed.

"Road to Rouen" (9 tracks, 35 min.), issued in Fall, 2005, is a great return to form. The band is highly focused, and sounds re-energized after a 3 year lay-off. While only lasting a little over half an hour, the album brings a LOT, starting with the opener "Tales of Endurance (Parts 4, 5 & 6)" (making you wonder where the first 3 parts are). The other epic song on here is "Roxy", a 6+ min. minutely built song, just beautiful. Interestingly, it is followed by a short and funny instrumental, "Coffee in the Pot", showing that the band hasn't lost its sense of humor. The upbeat title track is a tribute to the fact Supergrass recorded this album in France. The closer "Fin" ("end" in French) is a sweet 'ballad' in the way only Supergrass can bring it.

While a major act in their native England, major success has always eluded Supergrass in the US, and this album has not changed that. Nevermind, "Road to Rouen" is a top-notch album, and highly recommended.

Average customer rating: The Slow Supergrass Never Hurt Anyone supergrass Not what you would expect from Supergrass, that is not a bad thing though. A full return to form (4.5 Stars) Maddeningly Mediocre

Road to Rouen Supergrass Manufacturer: EMI/Parlophone ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britpop | British Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk-Pop | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Post Grunge | American Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: You Could Have It So Much Better Z Leaders of the Free World Aerial Plans ASIN: B0009Y336A Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

1. Tales Of Endurance (Parts 4, 5 & 6)
2. St. Petersburg
3. Sad Girl
4. Roxy
5. Coffee In The Pot
6. Road To Rouen
7. Kick In The Teeth
8. Low C
9. Fin

Amazon.com

When Supergrass released its excitable debut, I Should Coco a decade ago, the British trio (now a quartet) sounded so young, dumb and full-of-fun that Steven Spielberg thought they would make suitable candidates for a Monkees-style television show pairing infectious rock tunes with hilarious hi-jinks. As it turns out, the British group has followed the Monkees career path thoroughly, growing unexpectedly more somber with each of its successive releases, trading in shouty pop hits for plaintive retro-rock triumphs like "Pumping On Your Stereo" and "Moving." True to form, Road To Rouen, the band's fifth album, opens with the gentle "Tales of Endurance (Parts 4, 5 & 6)" and keeps the easy pace through melodic, string-filled highpoints such as "St. Petersburg" and "Roxy" - songs that confirm they're no longer monkeying around. "We welcome commercial suicide," sings frontman Gaz Coombes. --Aidin Vaziri

Customer Reviews:

The Slow Supergrass Never Hurt Anyone.......2005-11-26

One of my favorite band's personally, with this cd on the first listen you like it a lot but then your like "wait...what was that, i'm listening to that again right now". I have many cd's and not many I know do that so Props To !SUPERGRASS! I really hope they keep making music it's like the best pop music i've ever heard that has great thought behind it.






Not One To Miss Out

supergrass .......2005-10-30

judge for yourself. they grow and age just like we do. you either go with it or you dont. i love them now and i loved them then. its different and thats ok. they are still great players.

Not what you would expect from Supergrass, that is not a bad thing though........2005-10-07

As a diehard fan of British music, Supergrass is probably my favorite British band of the past decade. Expecting to hear Caught By The Fuzz, Moving, Richard III, Alright, Grace, or anything they have put out, I was surprised by this effort. It is definatly, more mature, cool, folky, and reflective. What a surprise. They don't sound like the teen, early twenties kids, that we have all been expecting. These guys sound older and that is refreshing. While the amps, tempo may have been slowed, the beautiful melody and harmony is still presented, just in a different way. My favorites are St. Petersburg, Sad Girl, Kick in the Teeth and Low C in my opinion is as good as anything they have done. And the final song, Fin is a beautiful sad closer to this surprising album that none of us expected. Previous reviewers who said this album is boring and complacent are totally wrong. This trio, or I should say quatro, are in their own league now and make music that is simply impressive.My only complaint about this album is why is there only nine songs? Yes there are a few duds, and that's why I give it four stars. It kind of reminds me of their third album, which is my favorie despite all the so-called critics who call that their worst effort. I dig the piano on this album. Mellow,
mature, and beautiful. That is my opinion of this album. I am only guessing what their next album will sound like. A follower of this, or back to their signature sound.

A full return to form (4.5 Stars).......2005-10-04

The last two Supergrass albums, Supergrass and Life On Other Planets, were both mixed affairs. While their sound, both mellow and energetic respectively, sounded like another step in the right direction, aside from the obvious singles there was a lack of sturdy songs on each disc. Some three years later Supergrass has returned with their fifth full-length and what a return it is. Easily their strongest and most consistent album since In It For The Money, Road To Rouen is worth the wait. This release finds Supergrass mellowing their sound without getting depressing or dull. The album still bounces around with a great, subtle energy finding all the songs brimming with a slowly growing beauty. The opening track "Tales of Endurance (Parts 4, 5 & 6)" starts out as a beautiful acoustic number which then transforms, with the help of some majestic horns ala Ennio Morricone, into a full out blues-stomp rocker. It's a great example of Supergrass' ability to twist their songs around while staying inside the same groove and now they show this great talent through the course of nine songs. Unlike prior releases, Road To Rouen stays in the same groove and never seems spastic or inconsistent, even on the hilarious intermission "Coffee In The Pot." Singles "St. Petersburg" and "Low C" find Supergrass in full acoustic mode, both songs being prime examples of just how beautiful music can be. The mini-epic "Roxy," the funky rock of the Curtis Mayfield-esque title track, and the shimmering, electric mod-rock of "Kick In The Teeth" show us that Supergrass can still rock, even if their sound is more sophisticated than the youthful punk of I Should Coco. Despite all these varying styles, none of the songs seem out of place here. Every track on Road To Rouen grows more and more classic with every listen, making it the most beautiful album of Supergrass' career and their best in the last eight years.

Maddeningly Mediocre.......2005-10-01

I am a huge fan of Supergrass. I own and love all of their albums. I consider "Life on Other Planets" to be one of the greatest pop/rock albums of all time. So, of course, I eagerly awaited the release of the follow-up. What a disappointment. The new songs aren't bad, but they are certainly not up to the standards I've come to expect from Supergrass. There are simply no stand-out tracks on this album, in my opinion. Given the overall flatness of the album, the addition of the cliché novelty track "Coffee in the Pot" is almost insulting. The tune just screams out to be skipped each time it comes up. I hate when bands do that. I'll keep listening. Maybe these tracks will grow on me, but for the time being, I'm bummed.

Average customer rating:

Road to Rouen Supergrass Manufacturer: Toshiba EMI Japan ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britpop | British Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk-Pop | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Post Grunge | American Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000A7TFEK Release Date: 2005-09-19

Tracks:

1. Tales of Endurance, Pts. 4 - 6
2. St. Petersburg
3. Sad Girl
4. Roxy
5. Coffee in the Pot
6. Road to Rouen
7. Kick in the Teeth
8. Low C
9. Fin

Album Description

Japanese pressing features 10 tracks including an exclusive bonus track. Named after a town in Normandy where the album was created in a self-built studio the 'Grass are clearly on a different path to the well worn trail of yore. Opener 'Tales of Endurance' is a deft sleight of hand surprising die-hard fans from the offset as its acoustic country groove gives way to Mariachi trumpets. A more mature approach to song writing has given the album a laid back feel and takes the listener to a whole host of different destinations than previously visited. 'St Petersburg' is a great introduction to their more eclectic sound including a refrain doused in the sound of the Soviets, 'Sad Girl' has the spirit of John Lennon, whereas 'Roxy' with its strings and squealing proggy guitars could sit snugly alongside The Ultimate Yes. 'Coffee In The Pot' is a short meander through a crazy spaghetti western while Cossack dancing and title track 'Road To Rouen' could be the soundtrack to a '70s cop show. While not providing the immediacy of previous Supergrass releases this is a fine addition to their catalog, providing something for new and old fans alike. EMI. 2005.

Average customer rating: It may be a new sound, but it is 100% Supergrass.

Road to Rouen Supergrass Manufacturer: EMI/Parlophone ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britpop | British Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk-Pop | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Post Grunge | American Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000A5DV42 Release Date: 2005-08-30

Tracks:

1. Tales of Endurance, Pts. 4, 5 & 6
2. St. Petersburg
3. Sad Girl
4. Roxy
5. Coffee in the Pot
6. Road to Rouen
7. Kick in the Teeth
8. Low C
9. Fin

Customer Reviews:

It may be a new sound, but it is 100% Supergrass........2005-08-27

"Road to Rouen" is an excellent collection of songs from the most consistently talented and clever bands to grace the planet this past decade. For those who would compare this release to previous efforts, it is not as brazen and crackling as "Coco", nor is it as filled with new energy and momentum as "In It For The Money." It shares a little of the melancholy sound and dark atmosphere of "X-Ray" and has very little in common (style-wise) with "Life on Other Planets." It is a well-scripted and marvelously conceived journey through new territory.

This release can be divided into two primary sections... The first begins with "Tales of Endurance - Parts 4, 5 and 6" which can be seen as a testament to Supergrass as a band that has spent the last decade and more re-defining music with sometimes little recognition for the brilliance embodied by their efforts. Clever tongue-in-cheek sarcasm pokes fun at themselves as well as the vision over success approach to music. A wide variety of instruments abound with the three parts shifting gears from a western-style guitar building eventually into a solid rock production.

The first half of the release continues with "St. Petersburg" which is a piano-led gentle roller that features a stunning array of late 60's-style instruments including a splendid string section and a kind of strolling pace.

"Sad Girl" uses a brilliant organ-laden foundation to tell its story. The steady beat leads the song along as it moves from one section to another. I know I am not alone in favorably comparing this one to the latter Beatles efforts, when the genius was at its most uncaring of public acceptance.

The last song of the first half, "Roxy" is an amazing song. Again, it is not a rocker as much as it is a symphony Supergrass-style. I can't express how superb this song is. The complex and stirring orchestral sound that accompanies the majority of the song add a majesty to the music that has not been captured by a band in such a long time. It rocks out to its conclusion ending the first half of a brilliant release.

"Coffee in the Pot" is the instrumental intermission. It is meant to be a light buffer between the first half which builds up to "Roxy" before moving on to the second act. This song is short, humorous and included for the sole purpose of drawing a line between one side of the "record" and the other.

The title track is a solid seventies-style rocker with a police-chase-through-the-streets-of-San Francisco soundtrack and an occasionally Bowie-esque lyrical style. Complete with a little siren sound-byte thrown in the more quiet moments, and a driving beat, this is one of the heavier tracks as far as setting a groove.

"Kick in the Teeth" is the closest Supergrass comes to giving fans a taste of their previous catchy verse, defined chorus style of music. It shows that while the Wheatly lads have developed an even more versatile sound, they are still capable of throwing a bone to the fans stuck in a previous era of Supergrass.

At this point the songs begin to wind to a close. "Low C" is a somewhat Lennon-sounding song that uses a light piano and a kind of tavern-band drum beat (similar to the beat and tempo of "Sex") to roll along.

The final song, appropriately titled "Fin", quietly closes the release. It is soft and filmy and filled with such a sense of the sublime it leaves you with a sense of loss akin to reading the last page of a beloved book.

This may need a few listens to grow on people expecting a heavier rock-and-roll or pop sound. "Road to Rouen" may not be the greatest thing ever released by Supergrass, but that is only because they have put out such brilliant material over the past decade and more. It is more complex than anything they've done to date, but if you run through it a few times you will see that it is a marvel in it's own right. It is not a long-playing release, but at just over 35 minutes, it is long enough to express all of the elements without losing its soul. I think it is a stunning addition to their catalog.

Average customer rating:

Road to Rouen ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000AA7I6O Release Date: 2005-08-30

Album Description

International pressing. The brand new sounds of Supergrass's fifth record might frighten the timid, unadventurous types who think Supergrass should still be doing buzzsaw pop, ten years after they (re)invented the form with I Should Coco. With their new album they have made a record that is utterly, intriguingly, brilliantly different. Road To Rouen is about a journey; going places, moving on and growing up. ''We've had some trying times over the last couple of years'', reflects Gaz hesitantly, ''And it changes the way you do things. It changed the way I wrote songs.'' A decade on, Road to Rouen signals the beginning of a new chapter for Supergrass. Ghosts of the past have been exorcised and (sort of) laid to rest: Supergrass are ready to face their future. Road to Rouen demonstrates an amazing development in their sound, firmly shaking off the old frivolous and cheeky image. The album is packed with ideas and there are surprises at every turn. In a very good way, it's all over the place. A zither, a ukulele, Led Zep-style psychedelic-folk, brass, strings, the model of drum machine used by Sly & The Family Stone - all these are on Road To Rouen. EMI. 2005.

Rap Music:

1. Rock Bottom
2. Salesmen & Racists [Explicit Lyrics]
3. Security [Original recording remastered]
4. Snow
5. Songs About Jane [Import]
6. Songs from the Last Century
7. Soundsystem [Explicit Lyrics]
8. Southside Double-Wide: Acoustic Live [Limited Edition] [Live]
9. Still Crazy After All These Years [Extra tracks] [Original recording remastered]
10. Stratovarius

Rap Music

rap music

Recommended Music:

Out of Sight [Import]

The Complete Chopin Recordings

Twin Best [Limited Edition] [Import]

Music: The Last One to Know

Unholy Roller

Ward Time/Hit 'Em Up [CD-single]

Universal

Three Dollar Bill Y'All [Explicit Lyrics]

Tierra Santa [Import]

The Very Best of Elisabeth Schwarzkopf

Ultimate Collection [Import]

Under Rug Swept [Import]

Toonage [Import]

Undefeated

In Person! Tony Bennett/Count Basie And His Orchestra