Bands that make eclecticism part of their identity
tend to fall off the deep end; most find a diverse balance early, then spiral out
into oblivion, searching for something weird. Super Furry Animals' artfully
assorted output has never suffered that problem, but it's still surprising that
Hey Venus!,
the Welsh band's eighth studio album, might be its best. It's unabashedly a pop
album, and by restraining its inventiveness, the band maintains a warm of sense
of Zappa-esque liveliness. From cheerily sunny tracks such as "Show Your Hand" to
the arresting "Suckers," Hey Venus! is packed with memorable harmonies; the album's
highlights sound like updated versions of Burt Bacharach's soulful slow-rockers,
especially the piano-plunking "Let The Wolves Howl At The Moon," the trumpet
solo of "The Gift That Keeps Giving," and even the Motown-ish "Carbon Dating." Each
serves as a reminder to indie-rockers that good songs are more fun than simple
weirdness.