I Should Coco

Tearing by at a breakneck speed, I Should Coco is a spectacularly eclectic debut by Supergrass, a trio barely out of their teens. Sure, the unbridled energy of the album illustrates that the band is young, yet what really illustrates how young the bandmembers are is how they borrow from their predecessors. Supergrass treat the Buzzcocks, the Beatles, Elton John, David Bowie, Blur, and Madness as if they were all the same thing -- they don't make any distinction between what is cool and what isn't, they just throw everything together. Consequently, the jittery "Caught by the Fuzz" slams next to the music hall rave-up "Mansize Rooster," the trippy psychedelia of "Sofa (Of My Lethargy)," the heavy stomp of "Lenny," and the bona fide teen anthem "Alright." I Should Coco is the sound of adolescence, but performed with a surprising musical versatility that makes the record's exuberant energy all the more infectious.

I wont jump on the bandwagon and bash Oasis here, but Supergrass were criminally underrated and deserved just as much hype as the top 4 britpop bands. This is a gem.

Some good bri-ish pop on a chewsday innit

I like this a lot due to the fact that i am trash.

I’m old enough that teenage me bought their debut single ‘Caught by the Fuzz’ on “Cassingle” the week it came out, because the NME told me to. (A ‘cassingle’ is a portmanteau of the words ‘cassette’ and ‘single’ that the record industry tried to make a thing for a while. You can google what a cassette is). I remember the NME review saying something about it being the sort of song where you’d find the CD (or cassingle) down the back of your sofa in a few years time and it would still sound great. I think they were implying that Supergrass would be a bit of a one-hit wonder so they didn’t really get that bit right, but they were spot on about the song still sounding good 25 years later. My opinion of this album is probably too influenced by the memory of teenage hormones and youthful naivety to be particularly objective, but I love it and it was a great journey down memory lane. On a side note, about a year and a half ago I saw Gaz Coombes play a free gig near my house, at the opening of a small bridge that doesn’t go anywhere (true story). He’s still great so I’d definitely recommend going and seeing him play, if there are any small, pointless bridges being opened within walking distance of your house.

Another new band and album! My first spin was a weak half-listen in which I prematurely dropped this trio into a pop punk category that I typically have no time for. But thankfully after a deeper listen, I was awakened to the radical statement that is "I Should Coco". After needing to calm down from I'd Like To Know, Caught By The Fuzz, and Mansize Rooster, the fourth song, Alright, helped me to really taste the British flavour and artistic ingredients with a fresh palette. What first felt simple transformed into a complex mutation of themes and sounds including bells, strings, organs, drums, and more. I am so stoked to have learned of this playful rock album! That is one of the wonderful truths about full albums - the more intentional the listen, the more you begin to hear. These strikingly manic mood shifts span a much broader spectrum than realized, and the musicianship & creativity is far more diverse. I really dig Strange Ones and the surprise harmonica in Time! While I truly appreciate every single song on the record, The Sofa Of My Lethargy showcases the breadth of writing and instrumentation that I missed the first time around. At the end, Time To Go is a pleasantly Beatlesque surprise desert to conclude the 13 course meal! ** I taste notes of Supergrass in Cage The Elephant, The Lemon Twigs and The Psychedelic Porn Crumpets? **I also was reminded how easily we can label or judge things before we know anything about them. Music is always a guiding light for me in this area.

This is exactly the sort of experience I was hoping for with the 1001 albums project. A band I had never heard of whose music was right in my wheelhouse. I had heard their single on the radio many years ago but the whole album is a banger. 4.5/5 stars

This was one of the first albums I ever bought, when I was eleven. I genuinely loved Alright when it came out, though I preferred Lenny. Indeed, I even had a pair of rudimentary sideburns aged 11 (though in fairness I've somehow always had a pair of Sidney Sideboards ever since I was about 8; I didn't spurt into puberty especially prematurely, I just always had sideburns). Now, I have no problem with me loving this album as kid, but how would I respond to it as a 30something? Very warmly, it turned out. We have here an amiable, sincere yet playful and funloving record. It's an adolescent record (indeed, children liked Supergrass), but thankfully focuses on the carefree happiness of your first spliff and your first caress of a bosom, rather than 28 tracks about self-harming and hanging round cemeteries. To add a note on the album's eclecticism, I Should Coco has a intriguing number of different styles. Yes, these styles aren't jarringly different from each other, forming part of the standard canon of British indie rock (Beatles, Kinks, Who, Clash, Jam, Smiths, Stone Roses etc.), but Supergrass' embrace of them feels organic, as if they actually just like those bands, rather than out of a need to brag about their record collection (looking at you Spiritualized, Primal Scream and Radiohead). It's a pleasing, natural variance that doesn't reek of showiness. Basically, not a duff track, and that's great enough.

This has to be one of the worst album covers of all time. That transgression aside, this record is better than just about every other British alternative record I’ve encountered on this list thus far. It at least has some aggression…some chutzpah, if you will. They’re playing with a sense of urgency and reckless abandon unlike any of their mid-90’s British compatriots. That album cover is absolutely terrible, though… the dog’s breakfast. Bad enough that I wouldn’t even consider buying this album if I saw it in the store without having heard the music. I guess that’s why they say not to judge a book by its cover.

Alright

I was definitely losing interest during some tracks, but then just as I was about to note the track name down, they would change up the rhythm or instrumentation to grab my attention again and this was a running theme. I would say that I only really knew of ‘alright’ from this album before listening, and that track is probably the worst representation of what this album provides. This is classic brit-pop playfulness mixed with some rather Jammy basslines, solid riffy guitar work and a buttload of energy that tails off gently towards the albums final tracks. Quite mature themes for a band in their teens. Will probably come back to this album for long summer road trips or getting ready for a rowdy night on the tiles.

It's just a fun album. Distinctly of its era in the 90s. I surprised this one has passed my by until now. Lots of variation in the songs. Lots of energy in the first half of the album, and then it slows down in the latter half and has some more noticeable instrumentation. There's a little bit of Beatles in this album. Fun pop music that you can still take seriously. I imagine this band would have been awesome to see live during this era 4/5

Ah, air-heady positive wholesome indie fun. Not wholesome in a twee moth-eaten sort of way, but in a youthful exhuberant summery sort of way. Two well-known tracks to sing along to, and the rest zips along with fresh speed. More than a three? No

Things I was doing in 1995: - playing a lot of NHL '94. - touring with a band in the back of a van around the northeastern US. - eating poorly. - holding down a tech support job during the day which funded the rest of said list. Things I was not doing in 1995: listening to pop/punk. So I missed this one although kind of surprising considering how embedded I (thought I) was into the current music scene, almost by necessity. I do like the songs "Alright" and "Time To Go" - nice melodies - the keys on Alright are a nice instrumental change-up and Time To Go is a great pace slowdown from the rest of the album but on the whole it is not in my wheelhouse, being fast-paced shouty punk-ish music. I'll give a nod to the fact that it's much more melodic than I might have expected but its never-ending frenetic pace is just too much for me. This one I can see how others would like but not my cup of tea (tea very much a pointed analogy. they're British? get it? of course you do.). 4/10 2 stars.

Gosh, this is fun. I love the energy of this album. Catchy and tuneful, but also totally rocks. Starts fun and punchy, ends sweetly. This is Britpop masterfully done. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Sofa (of My Lethargy), Time, Alright, Time to Go, Mansize Rooster, Lose It, She's So Loose, Caught by the Fuzz, Sitting Up Straight, We're Not Supposed To, Lenny, Strange Ones, I'd Like to Know

i love this shieeet

Enjoyed second half of album more. Reminds me of Buzzcocks but slightly more melodic with more accessible grooves.

Wank. Apart from the anthemic "We Are Young" there's not much to set this apart from any of the sub standard 90s Brit pop. The heavier numbers however, do make them sound like a bit of a British Green Day which isn't a compliment btw.

Why album generator, do you insist on giving me albums that are terrible? Punk/ska. Really? I couldn’t listen to this.

Britpop at it's peak and it totally rules. Just such a large sound being used to the full extent of it's abilities. It feels like they frontloaded all the good songs though, because it ends up losing some steam after Lenny. Still worth a full listen though; the Britpop history is a fascinating one which I'm happy to explore outside of the usual Blur and Oasis records.

meh, Supergrass is another band for people that like shit like U2 and DMB.

A fantastic debut album that is brim full of energy and swagger. The album catches the youth and raw sound best in the string of fast flowing songs at the start of the album including the classics of Mansize Rooster, caught by the fuzz, and Lenny. There is also time to slow it down with the Beatlesesque last couple of tracks. Top track: Caught by The Fuzz

Energetic, obnoxious. The type of Britpop I want more of.

Fun and erudite guitar pop that I missed out on due to Britpop’s emetic discourse. Glimpses of other bands, never mimicry, more result of close listening and good taste. “Mansize Rooster” is outstanding in its shifts of mode. “She’s So Loose” has a vibe I can’t pin down - the title teases the crass, the delivery is moody and unknowable.

Another one I loved at the time but hadn't heard in ages - seems obvious now but they were the Britpop T. Rex.; short and sweet; heavy and tuneful. What a great album full of bangers, thrilled to have seen them play most of this in a fairly-empty Mercury Lounge back at CMJ in 1995 (and gigged with them when they were The Jennifers even earlier). Top notch, and they made some other good albums but I don't think they were quite this exciting again

What is the perfect barometer for a person’s snobbishness, elitist music taste, and all-round dickishness? Take it from me: it’s their response to hearing Supergrass for the first time. Let me tell you a story- in my final days of university, things were finally starting to work out with an absolutely beautiful girl who I’d had a crush on for three years. It was the day we’d just completed our final exams, and we spent that afternoon in our own perfect bubble, hanging out in the rafters of one of the drama studios, playing each other some of our favourite songs through the PA. At some point in the day, she cued up Supergrass’s “Mansize Rooster”. She nestled up close to me, bopping her head along and telling me how brilliant it was that the band were only fifteen when they wrote it. My response? To sniff “…yes, you can tell.” Perhaps the band’s frenetic brand of guitar-based Britpop didn’t gel with my idea of a romantic afternoon. Perhaps I was feeling whiplash from the abrupt tempo changes and mistook it for amateurish songwriting. Perhaps I was just bitter that my teenage years were well and truly over, and none of them had been spent topping the charts or releasing seminal albums. Overall, it’s no surprise that I was wrong to sniff: “I Should Coco” is a fantastic album. While other albums from the Britpop age may have remained more in cultural consciousness (Oasis) or aged better artistically (Blur, or Pulp) “I Should Coco” remains a generational classic. Rather than gently easing the listener in, it hits the ground galloping with “I’d Like To Know”, forcing us to join the band’s pace. “Caught by the Fuzz”, “Lenny”, and yes, “Mansize Rooster”, are adrenaline fuelled, sharp yet sugary rock classics. Gaz Coombes’ rapid fire vocals in “Sitting Up Straight” - nigh-on impossible to sing along to - are genuinely impressive. Elsewhere, “We’re Not Supposed To”, with its daft helium vocals and cutesy delivery, is a convincing “Hunky Dory”-era Bowie tribute. Even “Alright”, a song that soundtracked the decade and would eventually grate on even the band from sheer overexposure, has its place here. The band don’t turn their hand to many other styles or ideas- there are no convincing ballads here, for example- but it’s so flippant and fun that it’s probably for the best. As for the band’s legacy… fear not! There are some happy endings in the world: thirty years on from “I Should Coco”’s release, the band still enjoy critical renown and have reformed to play the album in full to rejoicing Britpoppers old and young. And seven years on from that fateful afternoon in the rafters of the drama studio, that beautiful girl is still by my side, living through the days with me, and we had a joyful time listening to “I Should Coco” ahead of this review. “Alright” indeed!

It’s like.. on the verge of being amazing. But not quite. I liked it a lot though.

This was overall pretty enjoyable. Favorite track: "Mansize Rooster," probably.

High energy album with a lot of cool riffs.

Surprisingly good. High energy fast paced music, and a hint of Beatles so you don't have too much fun. Liked Lose It the most

I Should Coco is collection of fun, catchy pop songs, which are done in a variety of styles. This was Supergrass's first album, and the members were all teenagers when the album recorded. These songs are teenage anthems - celebrations of the joy and frustration of youth. That said, these songs are not juvenile or simplistic. The songs are interesting and varied, showing the band's wide range of influences and surprising range.

I had to go back and gave it a second run-through just to be sure but it turns out, this is a pretty good album. I started skeptical but, the more I listened to it the more I ended up really digging it. The songs are fun, the production is great, and the guitar tones are truly exceptional. I'm honestly shocked that this wasn't on my radar before now.

I have already reviewed Supergrass' subsequent album 'Only In It For The Money', which I damned with faint praise as "adequate", bordering on "fine". It was a dull record that wasted my time. Truth be told, I was kind of expecting the same from this record too. What a surprise then to hear a lean and energetic album that rips along at a cracking pace, full of youthful vigour, enthusiasm and some great sing-along pop tunes. I was surprised to realise how many songs I remember from being on the radio at the time. The material is largely the concerns of being a teenager (appropriate, given the lead singer was only about 19). I love that the album doesn't outstay it's welcome. The singles, especially Alright and Caught by the Fuzz are bangers, but most of the songs are quick blasts of tuneful enthusiasm ,which I can get behind. Clearly recorded quickly and without over-working the material, it captures the rush of a young band bashing out a bunch of songs just for the fun of it. Pop music really should be music by young people for young people (nosin' around, nosin' around) about young people's concerns, and this album really nails the brief. Is it an essential album? Hmm, not really, but it was certainly fun to listen to. The one criticism I could make is that Sofa (Of My Lethargy) is a waste of time, just unfocussed studio experimentation. And 6 minutes long on album where most tracks are under 3 minutes. If you cut Sofa, you would have a 12 song, 34 minute album that would probably be a classic. But, as it stands, I'm awarding 3 stars.

Quite good. Quite fun. Full of youth.

This felt like a record that would have come out in 2005, not 1995. Was a fun, but not amazing listen.

Top end of a 3, this one. Really liked the energy and had a bit of edge to it. I really don't like Alright though, find it really grating despite its popularity!  Can definitely tell that loads of the indie bands from the early 200s listened to stuff like this, it's definitely got more attitude and oomph than most Britpop (but it's not as catchy as Oasis or as clever as Pulp).

Imagine “They Might be Giants” but British and on Meth ….

“I Should Coco” by Supergrass (1995) Well, this is fun. In the genre of unserious rock, this competent trio entertains the listener with artfully executed shallowness. It can be described as thin slices of nothing you’ve never heard before, pasted together with deliberate incoherence, producing an overall effect of “Oh, what the hell.” Musically, we have up tempo compositions with good rhythm guitar, better bass, and not quite so good drums. Lyrics are frequently an inscrutable pastiche of conversational tidbits that don’t quite rise to the level of wit—but that’s okay, because this is all about fun anyway. Lots of lyrical references to what is “strange”, indicating both a fixation and a certain naive lust for life, but hey, these are kids. The track “Strange Ones” is almost interesting. Along with “Sitting Up Straight”, it’s a song that starts off with musical potential before quickly crashing back into unalloyed silliness. I enjoyed listening to this, but I don’t think I’ll ever listen to it again. 2/5

If you were to tell a computer to take 1,000 punk records from the 90s-00s and make a new punk record that is the exact average of all those, it would be this record. The most formulaic, by-the-number punk record with absolutely nothing of note here whatsoever

Meh. I couldn't get through a single playthrough. I have got to believe that there are at least 1001 albums in the world better than this one. Sure, I recognized 'Alright', but it sounded nothing like the rest of the album. If that was the only song that got this album on the list, then I'm really lost. I did appreciate that the related wikipedia page taught me about cockney rhyming slang, so at least I've got that going for me.

love Supergrass

Fantastic album loved it start to finish

I was 13 when this came out and absolutely loved it. Still do now. Holds up after all these years. Raw and pop in places.

Superkras!

Supergrass lives on the punk side of the Britpop spectrum and I’m here for it. I always forget how fun this album is. It leaves behind the angst of Oasis and the modern political commentary of Blur for a jumpier, upbeat version of the genre, integrating garage rock and power pop influences. Underrated.

This album was so much fun, goddamn it. i was immediately struck with the vocals in that they really reminded me of Gerard Way, and then I had to look the lore up. Supergrass absolutely rips and I'm glad this challenge really put me on. Just casually threw it on and then Alright came on, a song I've heard like a million times before but never heard it all the way through. Corporate America LOVES that song, and I think I do too, a little more now. It is honestly pretty sweet. This band definitely has a garage punk rock sound, there are times it sounds more punk, and at the same time INCREDIBLY jangly. Very very catchy songs, often played very fast. Incredibly tight instrumentals. I've only gotten into britpop as I get older but I can totally appreciate the jangly nature of this band and others like The La's, even if this band has more of a punchy bite. I would consider this album Jangle Punk. She's So Loose is fantastic, giving me major proto-Turnstile vibes. Every song is incredibly solid, catchy, colorful and very fun to listen to. Wild energy, wild progressive grooves on the back end especially which were a joy to hear. I think the closer is damn near perfect and mirrored another album I just listened to, the white album from the Beatles with a very sweet send off song to a perfect mindfuck of an album. Just beautiful, one of my favs this year.

A band I had heard of but never heard. Love the energy of this one! A solid wall of sound from start to finish! Where’s the mosh pit? I’m in!

Kinda weird when the minions showed up but otherwise this album is fucking fantastic

Fantastic album. Takes me back to my younger days.

Tussugott stöff. Hresst, hrátt og hratt. Ein af plötum þess tímabils í Bretlandinu.

Frábær plata, ekki eitt leiðinlegt lagt.

Straight up banger, and on the day I went to see them!

Fucking aright meow. This one shocked me, all over punky, alternative, pop from left to right. Very catchy indeed. Will go into rotation.

Great Album. Loved it!

A personal classic. My first CD (alongside John Lennon's Imagine). I know every note. I love every note. So much energy. Severely underrated. Great cover art.

This nailed that sweet spot—punk spirit without the weight. It’s the kind of album that doesn’t need to say a lot to make you feel a lot. It’s full of wild energy, scruffy guitars, and breakneck pacing. It feels playful, sometimes bratty, but surprisingly sharp musically. I recognised Alright straight away. The rest of the tracks resonated too. A cheeky playful sought of punk without all the serious political overtones that usually come with that genre.

This album came out during my senior year in high school. It really evoked the vibe of the mid to late 90s for teenagers and young adults. It holds to this day.

this one really blew my hair back. unapologetic indie/power-pop is my zone, and goddamn this one delivers that. i can't believe i'd never heard of this band before, they're so in my wheelhouse that i went and listened to everything they have after this.

Love it

Didn't realise this would be so good. Brilliant Britpop album

5/5. Alternative indie punk, this album goes hard. It's upbeat but has grueling guitar riffs and excellent drums. The vocals are clear and young, yet feels like they carry some experience. In the latter half of the album, they seem to be experiencing with some new sounds and although it is a different, slower energy, it still works honestly. It feels complete and resolved by the end. A great album from this list. Best Song: Alright, Caught By The Fuzz, She's So Loose, Sofa (Of My Lethargy)

HOLY SHIT! The only song I knew coming into this album was "Alright" and that song is unlike most of this album. "I'd Like To Know" caught me soooo off guard. This may be my favorite album I have discovered while doing this 1001 albums adventure. I am now 4 albums behind because I can't stop listening to this. It's a 90s album with 90s style instrumentals, but their vocalists are very 70s to me. I love this album so much. I WILL be listening to more once I get this out of my system (esp because everyone thinks this isn't their best yet.) What a debut. The first 4 songs are PERFECT and "Sitting Up Straight" is SO good. I also love how in "Mansize Rooster" they keep tricking you into where the end of the song will be. The vocals are amazing, the solos fuck, the riffs are great, the rhythm section is TIGHT, and the album is so diverse. I love it! Liked Songs: The entire album except for "Time To Go" although that song is fun too

Always thought this was a 70s band.

Never heard this before. And, it's been a little while on this 1001 album journey where I've liked something almost instantly. Surprise 5/5

Love the pacing on this one - just the right amount of psychedelia though it increases towards the end as the album noticeably slows from its earlier frantic, frenetic pace - in that sense it's a little reminiscent of SFAs Radiator - with the Sofa of My Lethargy outro the highlight.

I LOVE THIS

this fucking slaps

Very complete album, didn’t think Supergrass were that good!

I remember why this band is so good when I listen to this album. It really is a banger!!

Love this, fun, energetic, nostalgic. Normally not one for upbeat but I enjoyed this a lot

A personal favorite. Packed with punk energy, rock ‘n’ roll swagger, and a playfulness that feels very British. Supergrass play like they’re just a bunch of kids goofing around with guitars in a garage, but the songs are actually pretty complex. There are loads of surprising turns and plenty of interesting elements that add tension to the music. Mostly though, this album is just a really good time. Listening to it feels like hanging out with a group of friends who like to jump fences. There’s a bit of danger and adrenaline, but you end up laughing a lot too.

Some songs remind me of Green Day. Strange ones, I'd like to know, say. Mansize rooster sounds like a tune from an Arctic Monkeys song. Enjoyable album.

I like the noises that are happening

Such a great debut album. They managed to carve out a unique sound during a time when there were a number of really, really good bands coming out of the UK with their own "unique sound."

Love this one! Tons of great tracks and high energy.

Great album, really underated at the time.

Wow - extremely underrated compared to their peers. I LOVE this!!! I only really knew their biggest hits Alright, Moving and Pumping on Your Stereo before listening today. This is going into my record collection asap

Kind of like a British take on grunge? I liked it a lot. Great chord progressions and tons of energy. The falsetto is a bit much, but overall excellent.

Fantastic fun.

i like the song i like the beat and it is happier music . i like the second song i like the beat and i like what he is singing . i like the album i recommend it because of the beat

I’m biased because of the sentimental value to me, but I adore this.

Super fun =D

BANGER

Woah. Truly epic. Catchy, energetic. Everything I wanted. A total surprise too. I've definitely heard Alright before, no idea it was on this album. Exceptional work here. Very rarely do I want an album to be longer, yet I do this time. Highlights: I'd like to know Mansize Rooster Alright Strange Ones Time

Can't find anything wrong here. Lotsa fun. 5

this album was a very good listen. i love me some british vintage-inspired rock music. it's very much rock pop made for dancing and headbanging to, but seriously, i can't understate how much of a midcentury influence there is in here. in an alternate timeline, this music was probably played live in british concert halls and public places during the 60s and everyone was having a blast. what a sound!

Yes, you should coco. This album is fun.

I gave this one several listens. It's pretty great high energy rock and roll with a few slower dreamy grooves. Creative & catchy songwriting w great guitar riffs and fun vocal harmonies. It's a pretty solid album but my favorites: I'd Like to Know, Mansize Rooster, Lose It, Strange Ones, Sitting Up Straight, She's So Loose... all great songs. I'm a 4 but if I listen to it a few more times I could be up to a 5. (Edit: OK everytime I listen to my favorites I like them more.)

Not. One. Bad. Song. On. This. Album.

AMO

one of my absolute favs so far from this list. super solid record, big fan of the energy in it, how varied it is. it's what i needed to listen to today. well done, supergrass!

Holy crap! This is what this project is all about!

This was great. Feels like punk. Goin 5⭐️ cause I feel like it may somehow help these guys out.

4.5/5 Whimsicality is this album's speciality. It's charming, unpretentious, and well-written. It's alright. I'd Like to Know 3.5/5 Caught by the Fuzz 4/5 Mansize Rooster 4.5/5 Alright 5/5 (FAV) Lose It 4.5/5 Lenny 4/5 Strange Ones 3.5/5 (LEAST FAV) Sitting Up Straight 5/5 She's so Loose 4.5/5 We're Not Supposed To 5/5 Time 4.5/5 Sofa (Of My Lethargy) 4/5 Time to Go 4/5

1995. UK. Punk rock, Britpop, alternative rock, pop-punk

I’ve probably neglected to re listen to this album over the years for some reason but this took me right back to uni days. This came out when britpop really took off but it’s stood the test of time better than a lot of the albums released back then. A full on joyful romp of an album with no real duds, even when the pace eventually subsides. I’d forgotten how many of the songs I liked outside of the well known singles. An all round superb album.

Classic

Oasis & Sex Pistols had a baby

Wow. I honestly had never heard of Supergrass before this project and they come out here and give me not one but two banger projects? Really need to listen to this band more and do a deep dive. 9/10

Love the distinctive voice of Gaz Coombes. Forerunners to Britpop, detect the influence in some of Blur's stuff but maybe that's just me. Music is for enjoying not writing up pretentious clap trap.