Just wanted to let you know that I really love The Dowling Poole. I can hear lots of XTC/Dukes influence in them, but also a bit of Jellyfish and Brian Wilson. Finally, I've found a "modern band" I really like!
Yep! I need to give it another listen as I have it on vinyl, but it's safe to say Blur took a lot from Madness plus that Madness album in particular reminds me of Village Green by The Kinks. Good stuff!
Cool to see you appreciate Supergrass, too. I actually hold a soft spot for their fourth album (Life on Other Planets) which isn't highly regarded like the first two.
As time goes by, I'm starting to appreciate Smiley Smile more and more while gradually preferring The Beach Boys over The Kinks and Beatles. I'm getting more into Burt Bacharach, too.
That first Supergrass album is solid, lots of influences ranging from Syd Barrett to Cardiacs. I'm more of a Blur guy, though. Probably because there's XTC influence smeared all over Parklife. At the same time, I think Spilt Milk is the best album that owes a heavy debt to XTC. I'll probably bump it up to five stars someday, although I've never been a fan of "All is Forgiven."
It's heavier than the rest of the album which is probably why it's my least favorite, although it's not bad by any means. I definitely prefer Spilt Milk over Bellybutton, though. The more zany and polished, the better. Bellybutton is almost too conventional at certain points, but Jason Falkner on guitar certainly helps keep the album strong.
Cool to see you appreciate Supergrass, too. I actually hold a soft spot for their fourth album (Life on Other Planets) which isn't highly regarded like the first two.