(I don't know why everyone's saying Love Kraft was a disappointment. I still think it's terrific. The opening track alone is worth the admission)

Anyway, Hey Venus!

At first I was a little non-plussed. All the reviews I'd read went with the standard 'SFA's-most-mainstream-album-yet' (do the press write that for EVERY Super Furry release?!), but I actually found it a little harder to get into than the aforementioned Love Kraft. But, to cut a long story short, repeated listens have uncovered another impressive set from the apparently Midas-fingered band.

I think I read something the other day that said this album has a song for every occasion. Maybe it was that which made Hey Venus! a little tougher to get my head around. But, ironically, it's probably this eclecticism that will keep this album fresh while pretenders to the crown have long since gone out of fashion.

My only regret is the fact that Runaway has been released too early for the Christmas market. With its old school, Wall of Sound stylings and sentimental melody, it would have made an amazing alternative Christmas number one!

Just get this.

Then get everything else Super Furry Animals have done.

Then go see them live.

Throughout each and every wave of identikit bands, Super Furry Animals have always been surprising and never less than unique. No mean feat over the course of their long and impressive career.

Hurrah!

'Hey Venus' is very much 'more of the same' for the Super Furry Animals. After a slightly experimental last outing, they return to form here with an album packed full of melodic hooks.

It's one of those albums that you can confidentally say there isn't a weak track.

I would say it doesn't quite pack the punch of their debut Radiator or Rings Around the World but those two aside this album is easily as strong as anything else in the SFA collection.

Well worth purchasing.

It is fair to say that the last SFA album was a bit of a disappointment, but this sees the boys back on top form producing some of the most far out pop songs around...I would argue that this is one of their best since their debut.

I was looking forward to this album, particularly since I was slightly disappointed with a few of the tracks on their experimental Love Kraft album, and was glad I bought it straight away. It is the Furries back on form. To cut it short, it combines all the best elements of their albums to date leaving no room for duff tracks. Like many will agree, highlights are Run-away (with its What Becomes of the Broken Hearted feel), Baby Ate My Eightball, Neo Consumer and Battersea Odyssey. Visit their website to hear some of the tracks for yourself before producing your credit card and buying this brilliant work of art.

This is another smash from the Furrys. Less experimental this time, but just as enjoying. Lots of hooks, harmonies, clever lyrics and fine musicianship. Highlights: Run-Away, Baby Ate My Eightball, Neo Consumer and Show Your Hand. Highly recommended.

I have the full album and can confirm that the tracks not mentioned in the other review are up to the same excellent standards.

Carbon Dating - has a kind of lilting, lazy oriental feel to it and it's nearest SFA track is probably Cabin Fever off Love Kraft. Heartbreaking and sad.

Suckers - begins a little bit like Demons but has a gorgeous chorus ' Tell me your a phoenix, flying high above' - Builds up to a nice climax.

Battersea Odysee - Really good psychadelic tune (sounds like Hugh singing?) - starts with doomy Cure style chords then goes into a really upbeat sound.

Wolves - Nice and slow finish. Echoes of the country feel of Hello Sunshine. Nice way to end the album.

Overall, enyone who is a fan of SFA will love this album. It is a departure in that the long, epic sounding songs like zoom or bleed forever are absent. A short, punchy album which leaves you wanting more.

I've only heard the following songs, so here is a mini review of each;

Runaway - spoken word intro then phil spector meets captain beefheart with an impossibly sad monty pythonesque theme... "those that cry and runaway, live to cry another day"

Show Your Hand - first single, starts off light and fluffy before moving into hand waving, cheesy grinning pop perfection during the chorus... lots of bapabapdebapa

Neo Consumer - chugging bass, wiggy guitar, and kraut rocking consumerist ditty

Baby Ate My Eight Ball - scuzzy surf harmonies, an eight ball is something in pool isn't it, why are babies devouring these objects and "frothing at the mouth"... again my hands are in the air to this one

Each of these songs are perfect pop gems just short enough to leave you wanting more....

These songs alone guarantee 4 stars... but what if the rest of the album meets the dizzying heights of these tunes, here's hoping... maybe I missed something with Love Kraft too, I should go back and listen to that.