Keep the Village Alive by Stereophonics
Keep the Village Alive is the ninth studio album by Welsh rock band Stereophonics. Released on 11 September 2015, it was produced by lead singer and guitarist Kelly Jones, along with Jim Lowe. It is intended to be the second of two album volumes, with its predecessor Graffiti on the Train being the first. It is the first album to feature Jamie Morrison, who joined during the production of Graffiti on the Train in 2012. Keep the Village Alive was met with a similar positive response as Graffiti on the Train and topped the UK Albums Chart, becoming the band's first to do so since Pull the Pin (2007). Background During the writing process for the band's previous album Graffiti on the Train (2013), Kelly Jones had written 40 song ideas, 30 of which were recorded and completed. With the intention of releasing an album trilogy, the band decided against this idea after Green Day released their ¡Uno! ¡Dos! ¡Tré! series, instead planning to release another album with ten songs. Tracks from these sessions were included in Keep the Village Alive, though these track names are not stated. Stereophonics had finished their Graffiti on the Train Tour on 28 November 2013 and in late February 2014 they went into the studio to start working on the album. Writing and recording Speaking about "I Wanna Get Lost With You", Kelly Jones mentioned the track is about "wanting to lose yourself personally, and lose yourself with somebody, and then just literally get out there." Jones came up with the melody for "Song for the Summer" while sleeping in the studio after listening to another track for half a day. The next day he wrote the lyrics in a short time and it took 45 minutes to record. Jones approved the album for mass production on 22 June 2015.
Deep into their career, the original blueprint is intact for Stereophonics–anthemic songs, rollicking guitars and Kelly Jones’ raspy voice stretched to its limits. And this time, there’s added soaring emotion. “My Hero” uses sleigh bells and sentimentality beautifully, folksy closer “Mr and Mrs Smith” recalls the gorgeous guitar work of “Here Comes The Sun”. Meanwhile, the pounding drums, insistent riffs and singalong choruses of "I Wanna Get Lost With You” and “Sing Little Sister” sit proudly among the crowd-pleasing live favourites.
