Stereophonics - Just Enough Education to Perform

Three albums in, and Stereophonics have written their first truly mature work, Just Enough Education to Perform. While the Welsh trio's first two albums were blighted by the occasional spot of facile pub-rock tub-thumping, which served only to dilute Kelly Jones's emotive laments into ear candy, Just Enough Education to Perform evokes the ragged croak of early Rod Stewart or the world-weary country lament of Neil Young without feeling the need to unnecessarily embellish its content. It's not all good: the album's first single, "Mr. Writer"--a stab at dismissive music journalists--is, ironically, petulant and unwieldy, spoiled by Jones's clunky lyric: "You've just enough, in my own view, education to perform/ I'd like to shoot you all." Far more successful are the simple semi-acoustic readings of "Nice to Be Out", "Step on My Old Size Nines," and "Lying in the Sun," which prove that, stripped down, Jones can match most singer-songwriters of an alt-country persuasion without breaking into a sweat. By this time in their career, Oasis began losing themselves in bland bombast and a fog of hollow guitar solos; to their credit, on Just Enough Education to Perform, Stereophonics do not let fame cloud the clarity of the record's meaning. --Louis Pattison Amazon.com

In my own words, fandabuluous.

I know people think this is very mellow, but hey if they set out to make a mellow album then they did a dam good job! As a teen I try to keep up in the music scene with what is hot an what isn't, E.G. "Chili Peppers" good, "Pussycat Dolls" bad. I was worried that it would be a filler album because I had only heard their singles (which I loved to bits) Have a Nice Day, Mr Writer and Handbags and Gladrags. So I was very pleased when I found that there was only 1 song that I didn't like as much (but I didn't even disslike that one, "Everyday I Think of Money")

Vegas Two Times: Fantastic first song, one of the more rock orientated tracks. 8/10
Lying in the Sun: A very chilled track, some interesting lyrics. Perfect summer song. 7/10
Mr Writer: It took me a few listens to get into but could be one of the best songs on the cd. The fact that the song itself is quite different but still manages to impress. For ingenuity, 9/10
Step on My Old Size Nines: Another summery song with cheery lyrics, no glitches here that put me off. 7/10
Have a Nice Day: Brilliant song, one that you want to sing along to. It's more of an up-beat pop song than a summer track but genuine instruments, so no techno sounds (which you probably thought when i mentioned pop). 8/10
Nice To Be Out: Could be a filler but it's not, it only seems that way because it's surrounded by some very impressive tracks. This one is more mellow again, its a shorter track with another summer feel, so it's a good song that you should never tire of. 6.5/10
Handbags and Gladrags: Couled be a the best song on the album, it is a cover but it is very similar to the origional Rod Stuart creation. I love this track to bits because of the fantastic use of the oboe throughout and the brass section toward the end. 10/10
Watch Them Fly Sundays: Another rock orientated track similar to the "vegas" track. The verses are quite mellow but ones you can sing to, then the rock kicks in at the chorus. Enjoyable but you may think i've been here before. Nice track by no means a filler, just not different than what you've heard previously on this album. 6.5/10
Everyday I Think Of Money: The only track I tend to skip (unless i'm in the shower), it's by no means a bad song, it has a catchy beat and very simple lyrics, so it's a marmite song, you like it or you don't. I say i like it, it's just too different to be enjoyable. (my vote) 6/10
Maybe: Quiite a mellow, summer song, one that I found you can't sing along to just because there are a lot of lyrics and it's too much effort. Maybe a filler, but I don't think so. It's just another slice of the cake, it tastes the same but it's still good. :-)(I made that up!. clever me.) 6.5/10
Caravan Holiday: Chill song, singalong song. I like it, it's short and doesn't drag. 7/10
Rooftop: Good track, not at all a filler, a more of a rock approached track, ment to wake you up after the previous chilling tracks. Liking the singing in this one. Cool style. 7.5/10
Hidden Track (Attatched to the Rooftop track): A very nice rock track, only ment for this album. A very enjoyable song. I don't know why it's a hidden track but hey, at least it's there. 8/10

Average score: 7.5/10

So not amazing but i think it's worth paying watever price it has, unless it's like $100,000. (anything under $20 or around £12 for me). Very good album, as I said there is not one track that I disslike. Even if you are unsure, just buy it, it's going cheap. You won't be dissapointed. July 25, 2006

Good, but their next two after this kill this one

Okay, maybe it's just me, but I don't think this is their best. the best tracks on here are probably "Vegas Two Times" "Mr. Writer" or "Step On My Old Size Nines". Lots of these tracks are very pensive, and it sounds like they really wanted to feature the acoustics. If you like their pensive stuff, get this. If you want their harder (in my opinon better) stuff, pick up the other ones January 30, 2006

hidden track/bonus cut

There's another song after "Rooftop", and it's terrific. Probably titled, fittingly enough, "Surprise." Don't miss it! January 1, 2006

Their weakest album

Perhaps it isn't surprising that this is Sterophonics weakest album, as Kelly Jones wrote most of this in his darkest hour. However, it is too inconsistent and downright chintzy in places to be truly enjoyable front to back. Cuts like Mr. Writer, Vegas Two Times, and Rooftop rock out like no ones business and are the highlights, as is the sunshine-pop of Have a Nice Day. However, there are dirges like Everyday I Think of Money and downright schmaltz like Caravan Holiday. A good album but certainly their worst. April 11, 2005

a beautiful disc

Just because a band is successful and is reflecting on that success and the world they live in doesn't make this album any less enjoyable. This Stereophonics disc has beautiful melodies and reflective lyrics that I play over and over. It may be more polished than earlier discs but it maintains its own charm and beauty, and is well worth adding to your collection. The lyrics present an insightful look at the world and the melodies are truly beautiful. It's also the perfect poolside/beach disc. March 26, 2005

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