It's Great When You're Straight... Yeah - Black Grape

Weddings. Nightmare. No matter what they are always trouble; from the venue, catering, seating plan and guest list. Especially the guest list. Who should be invited to the wedding itself or just the evening do. Who'll take who. What about Aunt Mable? How will Frank get there since his accident? Should we ask the Tomlinsons who we met on holiday last year? Yes I know we haven't spoken to Bob and Carol since Sandra's Christening but family is family.... Nightmare.

Actually it probably goes a long way to explaining why we've avoided ours despite, it has to be said, extreme peer pressure. Not that they are interested whether we want to or not, to them it's just a good excuse for a party.

But I digress. It was because of a wedding that this album, or at least some of the tracks, we're played heavily on a trip from Hartlepool to Swansea via Bristol. I have distinct memories of crossing the Severn whilst 'In The Name of the Father' blasted out of the car stereo. Or it might have been 'Reverend Black Grape'. Or both. Such is the fickle nature of memories. No I'm sure it was 'Reverend'....or 'In The Name....'

Anyway one of our mates JG was getting married and he'd invited me to his wedding...... and that's where the trouble lay. For some reason he'd decided that partners were not invited. A strange choice and not surprisingly caused some friction. Still does. Like I said weddings are trouble and should be avoided at all costs.

The low point of the trip was waking to find that the Groom's brother had gotten so drunk and had mistaken the corner of the room as a toilet. Easy mistake to make; wallpaper, carpet and pictures hanging on the wall. Just like every toilet I've been in. Unfortunately this particular corner also contained someone's discarded clothing......

'It's Great......' marked something of a return to form for the former a Happy Mondays frontman. Kicking off with the two stonking lead singles it sets a high standard that it can't quite match. But the rest ain't bad; sort of indie pop meets hip hop, held together by Ryder's abstract yet occasionally insightful lyrics. Like this from 'Reverend Black Grape'

"Oh Pope he got the Nazis
To clean up their messes
He exchanged the gold and paintings
He gave them new addresses
Clean up your messes"

The opening two songs aside, the best is saved until last with the groove laden 'Little Bob'. Indie-hip-hop Madchester style....but those two opening songs. Wow! Full on, danceable, groove-tastic and guaranteed to get any party started. They'd be great at a wedding disco but watch Dot's toes. She's not as steady in her feet as she used to be......