Sylvan buskers, the Stereophonics, are part of the lumberjacking post- britpop fringe that looks to bury the teenybop and sassy- asses of post- Blur bands somewhere out in the northern hills. Trouble is, the Stereophonics brand of straight- up, blister- handed, beer- and- buddies rock-n-roll is pretty bland and not very fun. At best, they sound like the Manic Street Preachers sans- pizzaz. The Stereophonics, while truthfully writing some good tunes, just never get past the second tier level of British bands, doomed to play the muddy small stages of Glastonbury at noon-- serviceable, yet disposable.

Filled with heartfelt ballads and socio- political soapboxing, the Stereophonics are the British equivalent of a H.O.R.D.E. tour band. I think their problem is that they sound too American. They could be from Oregon. They seem like the types that wear flannel, hike, and condone recycling. Fitting, as they rehash classic rock riffs from the '70s and repaste 'em into jangly pub structures. Aside from a few hummable singles, the Stereophonics will sadly disappear forgotten. It's all just too flavorless and generic. Fortunately, they live in a welfare state.

-Brent DiCrescenzo