The Zutons Album: “You Can Do Anything [Japan Bonus Tracks]”

What do you do when your best known song is associated with someone else? Why, come back with a much stronger album and hope people remember the songs as yours, that's what.

UK Indie quartet Zutons return with their third album. Their second album, "Tired of hanging around" contained the UK #9 hit "Valerie", better known by most now as Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse's song after it spent forever at #2.

Opening is the aptly titled scorching rocker "Harder and harder" with a nice horn coda and a light Blues feel. "Dirty rat" slows things down with a soothing ska feel and sprinklings of horns before picking up pace again with "What's your problem".

"You make the four walls cry" is a plodding rocker with vocals midway by saxophonist Abi Harding, followed by the swirling psychedelic rocker "Family of leaches". Displaying their harmonies are the acoustic, almost Country-ish ballad "Don't get caught", and the closing "Little red door", a lovely ballad with chiming guitars.

"Bumbag" (about welfare benefits cheats) is a catchy upbeat horn peppered song, while "Always right behind you" is a swinging classic-rock song; Status Quo meets ABBA. I would imagine Ms Winehouse will be setting her sights on a cover.

"Put a little aside" is a nice ballad, a humorous look at a married man having an affair, "Freak" starts off with gentle verses before morphing into a very catchy driving retro rocker, one of the standouts! A wall of voices introduces "Give me a reason", a great rocker with loads of sax giving a groovy feel.

There isn't a duff moment on this album. Welcome back zutons!!

Formed in Liverpool in 2001, the Zutons issued their eclectic debut album "Who Killed The Zutons?" in 2004. It was a wide-ranging affair filled with rock/pop/ska/soul - you name it, the band attempted it. Many songs featured dark, apocalyptic imagery a la Bowie's "Diamond Dogs". "Railroad" was about a Chinese railroad worker lamenting being so far from home, while another described a "Havana Gang Brawl". Despite generally downbeat subject matter, the music was engaging and buoyantly performed. Touring and a steady stream of singles gained them a following, and the CD sold quite well for over a year.

In 2006, the band released their follow-up disc "Tired Of Hanging Around". Chief songwriter and vocalist Dave McCabe changed his game plan, and wrote songs that were more accessible and less odd. Greater commercial success ensued, and the group scored 2 British top ten hits. "Why Won't You Give Me Your Love?" was a terrific rocker that effectively showcased the immediacy and clarity of his voice. Even when the band is squawking all around him, his vocals cut through the fray like a knife through butter. Their other hit was "Valerie".

"Valerie" made him a ton of money when it was covered by Amy Winehouse a year later. It was a giant hit single for her, and produced by Mark Ronson - who had previously done great work with Lily Allen on her debut effort "Alright, Still". And, of course, he'd produced Winehouse's blockbuster smash CD "Back To Black". Amy did a great job with the song - it can be found on Ronson's 2007 CD "Version", and she performs it on her "live" DVD.

Some fans prefer the Zutons earlier, more eccentric output - while others favor the pop/rock stuff. I don't know - I like them both. But if you really pushed me to answer which I like better, I suppose I'd pick "Tired Of Hanging Around". They sound like a classic Brit-rock band on it. More than anyone, they resemble mid-to-late period Kinks. I prefer the simpler nature of the songs, and appreciate their improved playing abilities. Though her early efforts had charm, saxophonist Abi Harding had especially come a long way from the squeals and squonks heard on the first CD. McCabe's writing is overall sunnier, more heartfelt and direct - and he came up with a great bunch of melodies. Every song is good. If you want to hear them at their best, "Tired Of Hanging Around" is the one to get.

The new "You Can Do Anything" (2008) is very good, though not quite as consistent as the previous release. The production isn't as clean, but is more dense and murky. This results in the group sounding "heavier". As on the first album, McCabe's rather gloomy and paranoid worldview is once again on display. There's more slow songs than the last time out, but there's also plenty of good rockers. Former lead guitarist Boyan Chowdhury is replaced here by Paul Malloy, and he's in fine form - as are Abi, drummer Sean Payne and bassist Russell Pritchard.

The Zutons have become the most interesting and best band to emerge from England this decade. If they manage to stay together and continue, I think their future looks very bright.

It's always great to see how a band can built their career up. This is The Zutons third album. Finally you can identify all of their influences and melt them into a unique sound. This is a perfect mix of country roots and garage rock, very 60's but not old at all. Recommended If You Like: The Coral, The Datsuns and Supergrass

With bands like the Fratellis and Kaiser Chiefs somewhat popular in the United States I don't understand why the Zutons can't revel in it as well. They are a great band with fun and upbeat songs and they deservce a listen.