By the arrival of their third album, Science And Nature in 2000, The Bluetones were lost in the wilderness between Britpop and The Strokes. Seemingly aware the charts were no longer a priority, they got fantastically indulgent.
Pin-sharp melodies were still here, but this time they were cloaked in punky fractiousness (Zorro, Mudslide) or claustrophobic country-rock (One Speed Gearbox, Slack Jaw).
A superb self-destruct record, it was followed in 2002 by attempting to revive commercial fortunes with The Singles. Even that was offbeat, as it had a full four new songs added. Out on vinyl for the first time, both LPs deserve to aid The Bluetones’ continued rehabilitation as underrated mavericks.
8/10
John Earls