Super Furry Animals
"Rings Around the World"
(Beggars/XL)

Wales's very own Super Furry Animals have yet to gain the reputation in the States that they have in their native Europe, here's to hoping that the jump from defunct indie Flydaddy to Beggars/XL (who put out that much-talked about Badly Drawn Boy thing) leads to an increase in audience for this eclectic outfit. While "Rings Around the World" doesn't break any new ground with their sound, it does offer a much more produced and accessible look at the eccentric Welsh band. The band has in fact gone so far to enlist countryman John Cale (of Velvet Underground fame) who contributes piano to a track on "Rings", and universal icon Paul McCartney who lends, among other things, his name.

For anyone not familiar with the Super Furry Animals' prior work, this is an excellent introduction. Through 13 tracks (and a bonus disc!) they cycle through a smorgasbord of pop styles, from the punny "Receptacle for the Respectable" to the very Prince-ly titled "Juxtaposed with U". Through all its cleverness, fan of their previous work will definitely notice the lack of innovation, and may see this as (gulp) Super Furry Animals having developed a formula. Since the whole idea of having a formula is very un-SFA like, this might scare away a few hardcore fans. The album on a whole though is a fun record, as witty and diverse as previous efforts and a thoroughly enjoyable listen.

The Animals have clearly released "Rings" with a game plan: they plan to put a full on assault on American audiences. The fact that the record has been delayed in the US (it was out in Europe since last year) while an appropriate label surfaced and they could lay plans out for a full-scale tour shows that. Additionally, the Super Furry "Lite" sound of the record should make their whirlwind live shows much easier to swallow for the less receptive American crowds. Given these circumstances, making "Rings Around the World" was a smart move at this point for this unappreciated band from Wales.

-Karthik