There are so many reasons to yell "Wahey!" about A's comeback. For one, it means there is no longer any excuse for listening to Sum 41, Blink 182, or any other corporate besmirchers of the good name of punk pop (ghastly term, but forget what you think it means). For another, it will make you think that if you jumped off your roof right now you'd land in a sparkling swimming pool and someone would bounce a beach ball off your surfacing, giggling head. Wahey!
This album rules. In fact, It Bites... they had about a hit and a half in the Eighties, the hit being 'Calling All The Heroes' and being fantastic. It also Foos quite a bit. And Don Henleys. Its brown skin shines in the sun, it stacks dead actors to the rafters. But there's no more British a band than A. Far from having American pretentions, they seem to have no pretentions at all - just warmth, and bollocks. The lyrics come complete with little heartfelt explanations - a thousand miles from the snotty, sneery ones accompanying the lyrics on the Stereophonics' last album.
The highlights? Nearly all of it, but the second half of the album beats the crap out of the first. Something happens to it after 'The Springs' - an utterly wonderful ray of light that Blink 182 could never aspire to get close to touching. It soars, it zooms, it zings. After that it really takes off. 'Shut Yer Face' has a great big screaming domestic and then makes up with a shag among the smashed crockery - the combination of terrific tune and daft he-said-she-said lyrics is quite breathtaking. Probably the best track is the title track and closer. It kicks loads and loads of ass, Jason Perry (give the man a knighthood) yelping "Getcha ears on!", before seeping into a riff of wind-tossed magnificence by the end... like a more thoughtful Guns'n'Roses. The notes for it say "There is nothing like actually being IN your favourite rock band."
The true puppydog mentality can't be corrupted, and others can never contrive it. A are in love with what they do and it's inspiring - proof that you don't have to be Andrew W.K. to champion the cause of enthusiasm. Rally round their flag. Call all your heroes. And shake up that beer before you open it.
