8

Shock, horror! Not total shit!

So. Stereophonics are still going, still punishing us for some unknown atrocities obviously committed by us in previous lives.

But well, well, what do we have here? The first single to be lifted from 'Language. Sex. Violence. Other?', and Stereophonics decide a change of tact is in order and they amaze us all. Admit it. Famed for their dull, derivative, meat-and-two-veg, bland indie 'rock', 'Dakota' takes us all aback in a 'not total wank, actually not too bad' shocker.

A thoughtful, meandering guitar track guaranteed to be played in indie discos nationwide, it seems be a step forward for this usually backward-thinking band. The pretty guitar crescendos will have you humming this ditty in your head for the rest of the day. It hardly wipes the slate clean for Stereophonics' past crimes against music, but it is a start.