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They have never shown such control on a record before -- previously, their best albums were exciting because they went all over the place, and did it well -- and it's quite intoxicating to hear them ride one groove, finding different variations within it, for an entire album.
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Alternative PressOnly odd detours like a Russian oompah instrumental break the rhythm of the album; Rouen is an otherwise textured and engaging disc. [Nov 2005, p.222]
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A beginning to end enchanting and addictive album.
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It seems they’ve not only gone and made that sensible and mature fifth album that every band past their sell-by date inflicts on their effervescently loyal fans, they’ve actually made a record that would be more appropriate in an old folks’ home than your local indie niterie.
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An album of both phenomenal concentrated bits, as well as some disappointing gaps.
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MagnetRouen is all long jams and breezy acoustics, the telltale signs of a band that feels it's time to sober up. [#70, p.110]
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MojoThis is a fine record, a real grower, but it also sees a group comfortably adrift. [Sep 2005, p.89]
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It all adds up to the sound of a band developing and maturing nicely, without ever losing sight of what made them so great in the first place.
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'Road To Rouen' is the sound of a band at last hitting their stride, finding out who they are and sounding like it's finally making them happy.
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Supergrass is shedding even more of its goofiness, but the music--while more straight-faced--still sounds energized as ever.
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Unfortunately, Supergrass doesn't really ever harness any of the momentum they create on individual songs to make a truly great LP.
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Patchy, though when it's good (and nicked) it's very good.
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Road to Rouen isn't entirely the stuff of rocking chairs and Sunday drives, but it is the first Supergrass record to champion an overall vibe over immediacy.
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Shows off the group’s ability to transform into a neo-classic Brit-pop band, lush layers and dark undertones intact.
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Q MagazineWhile the depth of the band's musicianship and production skills continues to impress, Road To Rouen feels emotionally blank. [Sep 2005, p.111]
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Spin[A] pensive disc. [Oct 2005, p.137]
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The last decade has bled the band dry of energy and verve meaning that where once these songs would have been pop classics, now they’re tastefully tuneful AOR.
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The album is heavy on texture and short on shape.
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While the music is eclectic and teeming with exotic textures, it always feels coherent and easy to love, and might even earn the band a nomination as Britain's Best Pop Group.
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Road to Rouen isn't going to blow away any fan new to Supergrass, nor is any old fan going to go ga-ga over what they're hearing, but it's good to know the band isn't sitting on their laurels fantasizing about killing their commercial appeal.
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UncutAll in all, another album of low-key brilliance. [Sep 2005, p.114]
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Under The RadarSupergrass hasn't bothered with an unnatural, radical shift into experimental sounds and ideas; rather, they've simply recorded their fifth studio album. [#11, p.112]
User score distribution:
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Positive: 26 out of 29
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Mixed: 1 out of 29
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Negative: 2 out of 29
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BasarU.Jan 19, 2008Listen 10 times, then you'll understand this 10.
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Oct 31, 2011
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AlexA.Jul 7, 2008Fantastic album, The best Supergrass have made.