Additional personnel: Gavin Wright, Patrick Kieran, Boguslav Kostecki, Jackie Shave (violin); Bill Benham, Andrew Parker (viola); Martin Loveday (cello); Satin Singh (percussion).

Personnel: Gaz Coombes (vocals, guitar); Danny Goffey (vocals, drums); Mick Quinn (vocals); Robert Coombes (keyboards).

Audio Mixer: John Cornfield.

Recording information: Ridge Farm Studios; Sawmills Studios.

Photographer: Supergrass.

The 1996 NME Best New Band has certainly proved itself worthy of that accolade. The exuberance and vigour of the first and second albums permeates this, the group's third effort. These Oxfordshire Brit-Poppers enjoyed pre-release antics by revealing the album's working title as COCKED, and alleged track titles full of unmentionable innuendo. There's still a lot of fun being had.

It's great to see that Supergrass's youthful spirit has not diminished on this eponymous release. It's a fresh, richly produced treat, with lots of percussion and hand-clapping. The band has mature, and is more aware of its abilities and the resources at its fingertips. Despite its more pensive mood, SUPERGRASS has many highs, definite chunks of funky soul and '70s rock. The three-chord "Mary" is full of insulting lyrics, "Mama and Papa" gives Mickey Quinn his first lead vocal, and there's quirky harpsichord on "Your Love" in between the groovy, rocking choruses. SUPERGRASS is full of hooks and sing-along choruses; there's a great deal of self-confessed spontaneity here. The riotous Jagger-voiced "Pumping on Your Stereo" ends with tongue-in-cheek cheering and applause, and quite rightly--the band's having a ball, and it shows.