Along with fellow Oxfordians Radiohead, Supergrass are one of the few originators of Britpop to still be clinging on to much credibility – and it just so happens that they were one of the best. But somehow there is still the pervading sense that despite littering the charts with a succession of fantastic pop songs, Gaz et al have never quite surmounted the peaks that seemed within their reach.
In some ways, then, this White Stripes-flavoured bluesy rocker seems a fresh attempt to scythe through the repetitive and ever-multiplying chaff of current one-album, chart-bothering British indie (most of whom would sell their Lyle & Scott branded souls for a ‘Lenny’, ‘Caught by the Fuzz’ or ‘Mansize Rooster’). It does so, quite simply, by not sounding very British. The opening riff is almost identical to ‘Blue Orchid’, the slide guitar is reminiscent of a slightly slicker Gun Club and the integration of that most American of phrases “Bite me” adds to the all-round US garage rock feel of the track.
What is certainly true, though, is that after some 14 years Supergrass still know their way around a three and a half minute pop song. ‘Diamond Hoo Ha Man’ is another one that stands out on the radio, albeit thanks to a pretty straightforward Kings of Leon type formula: pounding drums, chunky guitars, aforementioned riff, speed up-slow down-speed up structure and some top-notch vocals.
It is a more than pleasant way to pass said 210 odd seconds and is nearly a very good return. But it just does sound a bit generic and lacks the Supergrass touch that (much like Super Furry Animals) normally makes their songs great. And it doesn’t help that it is actually ‘Blue Orchid’ that I have in my head long after listening to this track, rather than the work of the Hoo Ha Men. Still, decent enough, and an indication that there most probably is life in the old ‘grass yet.
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First published on rockfeedback.com. See it here.
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