Supergrass: In it for the Money (1997)

Considering that I have nearly a 5-week break from school, I should be able to post a few albums. I may even write up the previous post, like I said I would do forever ago.

First up: a classic album that I've just recently rediscovered. I went through a huge Britpop phase during my sophomore and junior years of high school (which, even then, was a decade too late), and Supergrass was one of my favorite bands throughout those years. Back then, I preferred their first and last album to anything in the middle of their prolific back catalog, but as my music tastes have matured a bit, I have come to realize that 1997's In It for the Money may very well be my favorite of theirs.

On the heels of their successful first album I Should Coco, released in 1995 to much acclaim (even gaining some American fanfare with the classic ode to youth, "Alright"), Supergrass returned two years later to offer a brilliant sophomore album. This time around, they brought more ambitious experimentation, broader instrumentation, and all the ostentation one would expect from a Britpop band, without sacrificing an ounce of the energy and fun that made their first album so great.

Anchored by four strong singles, the album hit #2 on the British charts, while selling more than one million copies worldwide. "Richard III," the second single and an album highlight, calls to mind the urgency of such Coco tracks as "I'd Like to Know" or "Lenny," adding a horn section to a catchy, almost "Nevermind"-esque melody (watch a brilliant 2004 live performance of this song in the video link below). Such songs as "Tonight" and "Going Out" recall the youthful whimsy, and no less whimsical instrumentation, of "Alright," though with a bit more of an edge. "Sun Hits the Sky," another fantastic single and one of my favorite tracks from the album, shows vocalist Gaz Coombes channeling his inner Bono with a great big vocal performance over a soaring, impossibly happy song.

Considering that In It for the Money is a remarkably consistent album, I could easily spotlight all 12 songs with a favorable word, but I'll reserve one final mention for closer "Sometimes I Make You Sad." After not listening to this album for four years, I had all but forgotten about every track on the album, save for this one; I effortlessly recalled it, smile intact, while listening to it for the first time in forever. Definitely the most interesting song that Supergrass ever did, this track features a carnival-esque, organ-driven melody over a vocal beatbox percussion loop. Yes, that's right. Intrigued? You should be. (Check out "Richard III" B-Side "Sometimes We're Very Sad" to listen to a hilarious excerpt from the recording session for the "drum" loop.) Though on paper the song sounds like little more than a novelty, its infectious melody and head-bobbing rhythm has ensured that this song has stayed on repeat since I rediscovered it a few days ago.

When an album can be described by the phrase "more mature sound," this may be grounds for many core fans of old to turn away, though this is certainly not the case for this album. Supergrass managed to retain all of the fun and excitement of I Should Coco while strengthening it with tighter melodies and songwriting, making In It for the Money a Britpop classic.



Track Listing:

1. In It for the Money
2. Richard III
3. Tonight
4. Late in the Day
5. G-Song
6. Sun Hits the Sky
7. Going Out
8. It's Not Me
9. Cheapskate
10. You Can See Me
11. Hollow Little Reign
12. Sometimes I Make You Sad