Supergrass
Diamond Hoo Ha
(Parlophone/EMI)
This constantly overlooked UK band has slugged it out with heavy-hitting, soulful rock since the early '90s and for what? Not the fan base that blindly followed numbnut bands like Oasis. Diamond Hoo Hamakes yet another strong case for this group, led by singer/guitarist/songwriter Gaz Coombes. On "The Return of..." he sings about "the return of inspiration." Maybe Coombes and company feel that way, but from the sounds here, Supergrass never really lost it. The once-tough trio is now an even tougher quartet. Electric piano and second guitar parts embellish without crowding, as on the single waiting to happen, "Ghost of a Friend."
---Sean Flinn