Album: Super Furry Animals <!-- none onestar twostar fourstar fivestar -->

Love Kraft, SONY BMG

Andy Gill
Friday 19 August 2005 00:00 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Love Kraft was recorded in Barcelona and mixed in Rio De Janeiro by Beastie Boys alumnus Mario Caldato, who persuaded the band to alter their working methods and leave the songs much looser and less structured than usual. The results are much less mapped-out and deliberate in manner than Rings Around The World and Phantom Power, though ultimately it would be futile to try and rein in the band's natural eclecticism, which still bursts several songs at the seams as they try to fit in all the changes. A song like "Cloudberries", for instance, opens in contemplative mood with a backwards guitar break, then shifts gears abruptly for a samba section, tickled by feathery strings, then shifts again into a warped, melodramatic chorale lashed by bombastic lead guitar. It's simply too much for some songs, with both "Frequency" and "Walk You Home" seeming to evaporate before they've been satisfactorily established. But there are enough nice touches throughout to engage one: the ebullient sea-shanty waltz "The Horn", picked out in dulcimer and vocal harmonies; the rollicking Faces-esque good-time feel of "Back On A Roll"; and especially the mild West Coast close-harmony tone of "Ohio Heat" and "Cabin Fever", the latter perfectly evoking the fallen-angel bruised charm of Dennis Wilson's solo work.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in