I Should Coco
Supergrass
1995
Album Summary
I Should Coco is the debut studio album by English alternative rock band Supergrass, released on 15 May 1995 by Parlophone. The title of the album is cockney rhyming slang for "I should think so".Supergrass were formed in 1993 by Gaz Coombes, Mick Quinn and Danny Goffey, and they released their debut single, "Caught by the Fuzz", in October 1994 on the small independent local label Backbeat Records. Success of the single brought a major label record deal. I Should Coco was recorded in Cornwall and produced by Sam Williams, who had been impressed by the band while scouting in Oxford. At the height of the Britpop era, the album became the band's most successful release when it reached number one on the UK Albums Chart, and subsequently gained platinum status, selling over a million copies worldwide and 500,000 in the UK. The most successful single released from I Should Coco is "Alright", which peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart, and gained platinum status.
WikipediaTearing 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Why album generator, do you insist on giving me albums that are terrible? Punk/ska. Really? I couldn’t listen to this.
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
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
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.
Enjoyed second half of album more. Reminds me of Buzzcocks but slightly more melodic with more accessible grooves.
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
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.
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).
“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
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.
Actually really good! I kind of guessed it would be a 90s power pop/alt rock scenario, but I didn't expect that I would like it so much. Fuzzy, and feels like it's wearing a massive grin the entire time. Favorite tracks: "Lose It", "Time", "Sofa of My Lethargy"
Nice one! Very much like "Strange Ones" and "Mansize Rooster". Will have to listen to this more, but seems very influential on the entire 90s brit rock scene.
Love this album. There were a few songs I knew from hearing before but the whole album was solid. A few slightly annoying bits but it's an album with a distinct sound and feel.
Familiarity: 0/10 Notes: wow. Did not expect to love this album so much. Split finely between 90s britpunk and a jammed out exploration bordering Beatles territory, I Should Coco is an incredibly well put together album that continued to exceed my expectations one track after the other all the way through to the end. Real Rating: 8.5/10
love it Gaz Coombes reminds me of late great Jay Reatard. I knew of the song "Alright" But its rad to hear the other jams too.
This is some fantastic brit-punk. 'Alright' fits in easily with the later sounds of the early 2000's pop-punk / indie-pop from the likes of Fun! and MGMT. Lenny is a song that plays harder, heavier. Strange Ones fluctuates through different tempo changes, not really sitting still in a completely different way than Sitting up Straight, which blasts through its run time at a breakneck pace. By the time Sofa (Of My Lethargy) comes around, we've entered a grand psychedelic sprawl. Overall, a tight record, with excellent production, instrumentation, and track layout.
Good fun. Nice mix of punk, Indie and 60s hippy. Did I have Man Sized Rooster in tape 25 years ago..?
13. I should Coco - Supergrass - 13 Tracks. I like Supergrass so am biased, but this is an album where strength of big tracks isn't diminished by relative weakness of others. It's a proper album. Listen to it soon! I'm about to play it again right now. 5/5.
This album is so great! I think I've heard most of these songs individually in other contexts, but had never listened to this entire album before. I can't believe it's as old as it is.
I can totally see this being a defining album of modern Britpop. See a lot of inspiration for libertines courteneers etc
Really great. This album helps to salvage my opinion of 90s rock music. Kinda like punk/pop punk at times, except they are actually good at their instruments and can write songs that involve more than just four basic-ass barre chords. Side question: why is UK rock music astronomically better than US rock music? I grew up in the wrong country
i don't know what it is about this album, i just LOVE it. it's not even like a quintessential masterpiece, it's just fun, upbeat, and charming. makes me happy.
Loved this one. Start to finish. A great blend of ‘90s Brit-Pop and Garage.
every single song on this fucking slapped. makes me want to cruise around the english coast with the lads
I really like Brit-pop and this has got to be one of the most energetic and fun albums in the genre.
I vibed with it. I really liked the keys (as usual) in addition to the whole feel of the album. A few of the songs felt like misses to me, but the rest of the songs more than made up for those. Every song felt unique, and I thoroughly enjoyed this album. Favorite track: Alright
1995, дебютный альбом группы. Брит-поп, задорно и жизнерадостно. Топовый сингл: Alright - гимн молодости.
Catchy, punky Britpop that I found enjoyable to listen to. I recognized Alright immediately - great song! The whole album was fun to listen to. Really representative of the mid-90s. Filled with perfect soundtrack options here for your next 90s film. Definitely worth the listen! Favorites: Caught by the Fuzz, Alright, Strange Ones, She’s So Loose, Time, Sofa of my Lethargy
Let me preface this review with a couple of facts that may have biased my listening experience today. First of all, I had half of a cup of coffee this morning, after being caffeine-free for at least a month. Also, I purchased some really awesome new Chaco's today. So, honestly, I was so giddy while listening that I may have given 90 minutes of a doorbell ringing a 5/5. Despite my anticipation that I would not be excited by this mid-90s Britpop album when it showed up, I really had fun listening to the album. It captured my interested from start to finish.
I'd Like To Know is probably the best introduction to a debut album ever! This album surely is a tribute to their parent's recited collections. Frenetic fun from a band that was a step above the other Britpop purveyors.
I remember this album when it was super famous, but I only remember "Alright". The fact is that the whole album is wonderful, it totally deserves to be on this list.
Off the bat very cool like the energy, like the vocals, very cool instrumental choices. really like the playfulness. Very memorable 8.5/10
So imperial, and at such a young age. One of the most impressive and energetic debuts you can hear out there, especially if you're interested in brit-pop--savvy yet fresh and unpretentious, sophisticated yet rolling on all cylinders. Classy. Number of albums left to review: 736 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 131 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 65 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important): 69
thank you 1001 albums for the two 1995 britpop albums in a row. theres at least one more too./ wha tthe heck!!! anyway this is significantly better than different class, much more consistent, more good songs. not quite a 9 still but i could see myself relistening to this one much sooner. "alright" is excellent. theres a ton of other jams here. were not supposed to is weirdly pitched up. fucking nightcore shitg. for some reason the production on this album makes it sound like its from the 60s. album cover reinforces this vibe since it looks kinda 50s. anyway great album
relaxed und recht nice, such als Hintergrund gedudel oder beim Lesen bleibt aber nicht so wirklich im Kopf also 4/5
I can't not see Gaz Coombes talking to Ali G about "Super-grass". The whole Britpop thing is a bit of a mystery to me, I know all the classics but haven't really pored through the albums before. I was actually pretty surprised and pleased with this. It somehow sends me back to a time in the 90s that I was too young to remember or experience in any meaningful way. It's gives us some hope, we've suffered through 16 years of Tory bullshit, but Blair is on the horizon, who we naively believe to be basically Jesus Christ who plays guitar instead of wasting his time on carpentry. Separate note: Martyn, after reading your review I listened to The Mouse and the Mask - what an incredible album!
Never knew the song "Alright" was by them. Genuinely enjoyable album. A poppy-punk vibe. Great listening.
There are a lot of bright poppy hits on this album, and it's just very youthful and fun!! "Sitting Up Straight", "Mansize Rooster" and "I'd Like to Know" are great new finds beyond the obviously awesome singles.
Production: 12/20 Songwriting: 13/20 Innovation: 6/20 Bangers: 20/20 Emotional response: 15/20 =66 A rollicking good one this
Playing this album back to back with supertramp was quite the transition. This album transported me to a high energy and sweaty pub gig and I wasn’t opposed to it. Reminded me of charlatans vibes
Such a good vibe throughout, nice and punky but with some good backup vocals.
I have never heard of this band, but I had so much fun listening to it yesterday. So pleasantly surprised!
Bright and energetic britpop with a lot of songwriting chops on display.
i was surprised at how much i enjoyed this one. it was a nice blend of things i like: dreamy guitars, fuzzy guitars, punk-rock guitars...all kindsa good stuff. noe more album i likely wouldn't have given a second look without this list.
Upbeat, cheeky pop rock. When this first came out I was in an "only metal" phase, so didn't appreciate it at the time. Still, had a lot less antipathy for Supergrass than I did for Blur and Oasis. Listening now, there's a lot I like. I appreciate "I'd Like to Know" and "Strange Ones" being like a call and response. Fave track is probably "Caught by the Fuzz"
I was ready to really hate this based just on the album cover. Seemed like it was going to be real miserable. Guess what? It's a ton of fun! They have serious Fratellis energy.
I thought this album was full of bops! The obvious hit is Alright, but I loved the first track maybe even more than that one!
Production: 12/20 Songwriting: 13/20 Innovation: 6/20 Bangers: 20/20 Emotional response: 15/20 =66 A rollicking good one this
Such a great sound, and a fun little album. For an album released in 1995, it has a rather timeless quality.
A good compliment to Elastica the day before. Solid 4, another example of the best kind of 90s.
Really loved this at first! Great sound and energy. Toward the end there was the Chipmunk sounding song and it dropped off from there. Would definitely still listen again.
HORRIBLE HISTORIES it's quite fun! would've enjoyed in my libertines phase i've heard 'alright' many times in ads etc.