Album of the Week: Super Furry Animals - Dark Days/Light Years

Proving the age-old maxim “if its not broken, don’t fix it” the Super Furry Animals bring in album number nine sounding a bit like, well, the Super Furry Animals. That’s not a bad thing though considering this Welsh group has provided the world with some of finest pop songs in their past fifteen years together. Dark Days/Light Years sees SFA continue with their usual progressive pop sound, with influences ranging broadly from krautrock to Steely Dan, so don’t expect anything new out of this record. However, do expect all the things distinctly associated with the band: silly song titles (“Crazy Naked Girls”, “White Socks/Flip Flops”), catchy choruses (“Helium Hearts”), psychedelic experimentation (“Cardiff in the Sun”), and of course, wonderfully emotive pop songs (“Lliwiau Llachar”). The album does all come down to the songs, which are what really give this album merit. The tracks seems more thought out then the splash-dash Hey Venus! of 2007, while exceedingly more experimental and full of life than 2005’s Lovekraft. Dark Days/Light Years may not break any new ground for the group, but neither will it turn any established members of their fan base away. An accessible pop gem.

Listen To: Lliwiau Llachar, Cardiff in the Sun, Helium Hearts

RIYL: Gorky's Zygotic Mynci, Islands, The Beta Band