“Thirteen years since the release of its well-hailed debut, Supergrass has gone from energetic, young and roughshod to energetic, veteran and polished. If 2005’s somber “Road to Rouen” gave the impression the band was toning down its rock energy, then “Diamond Hoo Ha” squarely refutes the idea. Opener “Diamond Hoo Ha Man” introduces the record with a propulsive guitar riff, punctuated with frontman Gaz Coombes’ yelps (”Bite me!” he exclaims, leading into the choruses). The established uptempo mood is not let down by blistering rocker “Bad Blood” and the Bowie-by-way-of-Franz Ferdinand romp “Rebel in You.” Odd song textures are found on closer “Butterfly” (austere, pulsating arena-rock) and “Rough Knuckles” (strutting, cinematic funk), and “345″ is the album’s most addictive cut, its verses simmering with taut rhythms and flirtatious basslines before exploding into exultant, reverby choruses. —Troy Carpenter”
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