Listmania!
A quick run-down of SFA albums
Fuzzy LogicFuzzy Logic by Super Furry Animals
Buy new: £6.67 / Used from: £2.18
Where it began; to be honest I've never liked this that much, although Hometown Unicorn and If You Don't Want Me To Destroy You are both fabulous. A good start, but better was to come.
RadiatorRadiator by Super Furry Animals
Buy new: £7.79 / Used from: £0.99
This is where they get REALLY good, REALLY fast; Radiator is just a collection of brilliant, skewed, psychedelic, late 90s pop, mixing great hooks with terrific production and fantastic creativity.
OutspacedOutspaced by Super Furry Animals
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £1.21
Collection of early b-sides and rareties, including the classic Man Don't Give A F*** single; this hangs together really well and has a handful of classic moments like the groovy Smokin'.
Ice Hockey HairIce Hockey Hair by Super Furry Animals
Buy used from: £1.79
Wicked stand-alone EP with two amazing songs and two interesting sonic diversions, too; one song made it onto Out Spaced, but the title track is worth finding.
GuerrillaGuerrilla by Super Furry Animals
Buy used from: £0.90
Amazingly, they then improved; this perhaps loses some of the songwriting peaks of Radiator, but takes SFA into outer space as far as compelling, experimental pop goes. Astounding.
MwngMwng by Super Furry Animals
Buy used from: £5.94
First non-Creation release, this Welsh-language LP is still required listening even for English heathens; less overtly techno-influenced, it has a raft of SFA's best songs, and beautiful arrangements.
Rings Around the WorldRings Around the World by Super Furry Animals
Buy new: £5.37 / Used from: £1.55
First album for Sony, and SFA's most ambitious record; swings wildly from country ballads (with political lyrics) to full-on techno experiments. A fan fave, if not mine.
Phantom PowerPhantom Power by Super Furry Animals
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £0.91
Despite the brown cover, this is a technicolour record; doesn't so much break new ground, as redo all SFA did before, just as well. Because of this it can get forgotten, but it's great. Piccolo Snare!
Love KraftLove Kraft by Super Furry Animals
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £1.96
Last album for Sony, and arguably their weakest; maturity sets in a little, songs elongate and tempos reduce. Some amazingly accomplished music, just a little less compelling than before.
Hey Venus!Hey Venus! by Super Furry Animals
Buy new: £12.78 / Used from: £1.53
First album for Rough Trade, and the band's shortest, poppiest, rockiest so far. A much needed reinvigoration and reminder of their psychedelic pop roots.
Dark Days/Light YearsDark Days/Light Years by Super Furry Animals
Buy new: £11.78 / Used from: £9.83
SFA's grooviest album; lots of krautrock and motorik rhythms are thrown into the psychedelic pop mix here, and the results are terrific; my favourite since Guerilla.