The Beat Surrender

Enigmatic, unique and yet strangely familiar with a leading man who is creating brand new classics on the solid basis of a very successful formula. Unfortunately for Miles Hunt and co I am talking about Dr Who and not The Wonder Stuff.

Ok that may be an exceptionally crow barred homage to the greatest TV programme of all time but it still emphasizes a point and that is to have longevity you need to be able to evolve and incorporate new ideas as your audience changes while also allowing yourself to be true to what has gone before. Be prepared to be a bit bold and try new things, test an audience.

I do have a fondness for The Wonderstuff that is primarily borne out of nostalgia. As one of the first bands to grab my attention by the throat in the very late 80’s and early 90’s both lyrically and performance wise they do hold some rose tinted memories for me. And being formed some years ago they could have easily taken the same well trodden path down Soup Dragon central or Mock Turtles boulevard and disappeared into obscurity but they veered away from those vicinities. However to continue the analogy until it is exhausted they seemed to run out of gas prior to getting to the same locals frequented by the likes of peers The Charlatans and Blur to name but two. The reason…evolution.

Although Blur and The Wonderstuff are two clearly distinct bands a comparison is not without validity. Both bands started by turning out tunes that made an increasing number of people sit up and take notice, Blur with tunes like “She’s so high” or “Theres no other way” and ver Stuff with efforts like “Circlesquare” and “It’s yer money I am after baby”. Then both popped over into the mainstream with the subtlety of a sledgehammer with questionable releases, “Country House” for Damon and chums (as bad as it is compared to some of their other efforts it still reminds me of that chart battle in 95 with Oasis and for that is still special!). The Wonderstuff meanwhile decided to duet with the least humours half of Reeves and Mortimer.

Immediate chart success followed but credibility seemed to decline in equal amounts and coverage, rave reviews and fan base appeared to diminish along with it. A shame because The Wonderstuff were great in their day, they really were.

So have they successfully accomplished evolution in the present day with Suspended by Stars. Alas no. There is nothing particularly wrong with this album there is just nothing new about it. “Last second of the minute” is sneering and in your face with Hunt’s distinct nasally tones being at the fore. “Blah blah, Lah Di Dah” is old school in a similar vein to “Size of a cow”.

Continue