With their new single, the wonderfully titled ‘Diamond Hoo Ha Men’, Supergrass remain, as ever, comfortably within the mainstream boundaries the band have always been so fond of. The bass seems like a cheap imitation of The White Stripes’ Blue Orchid, and the lyrics ‘I’ve got to get you in my suitcase’ patently echo the band’s desire to reinvigorate the last chagrins of youth and originality which exist within them. And yet, the song is alluring. The bass has a dirty ring to it, and the chords, although simple, have a familiarity that evokes notions of simple, good rock. This, in a sense, has always been both the dilemma and the art of Supergrass – they are wonderful at imitation, but not so much at innovation.
by Dave Wise
