Review
Alright, buckle up, folks! Stereophonics' fifth studio venture, "Language. Sex. Violence. Other?" is like a rollercoaster with a soundtrack that smashes your eardrums and gives you a whiplash of emotions. Released in 2005, this album sees the band ditching former drummer Stuart Cable in favor of Argentinean beat master Javier Weyler, resulting in a sound shift that’s more abrasive than a cheese grater on steroids. Frontman Kelly Jones grabs the mic with a vengeance, tackling themes of debauchery and unfiltered emotions, evident in ear-blasters like "Superman" and "Brother."
Then we've got "Dakota" wading into new wave waters, sugar-coating your ears with 1980s synth vibes that make you wanna dance like you're in a John Hughes movie. But not every experiment with this sound works—cue "Lolita," which feels like stumbling into a shoegaze party and realizing you’ve worn the wrong shoes. Mixed reviews be darned, "Language. Sex. Violence. Other?" still shot straight to the top spot in the UK charts, selling half a million copies. Whether you're here for the hard-hitting rock or the occasional synthy misstep, it's a wild ride that proves Stereophonics can still throw musical punches and adapt with the best of ’em. - Dave
