THERE comes a point in most rock stars' careers when they feel the need to turn the volume down, whip out the acoustic guitars and take things a little easier. Just look at Lemmy - actually don't - that would be a mistake.

But the point stands that any band worth its salt changes and develops over time and what has happened with Supergrass is no exception.

Road to Rouen is a very short but very sweet little album full of minor melodies and bitter-sweet tunes which slowly work their way into your psyche.

Though the band still retain a nice breezy approach to song-writing, this new material is very much a step away from the full-on, in-your-face assault of old stuff like Sun Hits the Sky or Richard III. Sad Girl is melodic plodder, rather like seventies Lennon at his best, as is the rueful Low C. Roxy is in a similar vein, though with a little more energy in the verses.

Coffee in the Pot is an irresistible, finger-clicking folk-jazz ditty which you've probably already heard on radio and TV jingles.

Essentially, what you've got here is an album on a par with any of its predecessors by one of Britain's best, if not slightly underrated, modern bands.

JS