The Singles

Feeder remain one of Wales’ best-loved exports

British pop-metal outfit Feeder was formed in London by singer/guitarist Grant Nicholas and drummer Jon Lee, who first teamed in the Welsh band Temper Temper. Originally dubbed Reel, the new group's line-up was complete with the addition of Tokyo-born bassist Taka Hirose. When they first released their debut album in 1997 many didn’t rate their chances of success, describing the three-piece (unfairly) as a run-of-the-mill indie band. The suicide of founding member, Jon Lee, also placed a huge question mark over their ability to last. But their fans encouraged them to continue and Nicolas and Hirose continued playing as Feeder, delivering two cracking albums in the form of Comfort In Sound and Pushing The Senses. Today, they remain one of Wales’ best-loved exports, capable of delivering brash, technicolor indie-pop songs that positively reverberate with energy and enthusiasm. The Singles requires no explanation, but here's one anyway: it is a collection of Feeder's work from the last five studio albums, from their debut back in 1997 up to the new single Lost & Found and two other tracks recently recorded with producer Stephen Street (Burning the Bridges and Save Us).

Tight, reliable heavy rock anthem/winsome-acoustic-ballad formula

The 20 tracks included here aren't in chronological order, which helps the flow of the album: stonking Nineties hard rock such Suffocate sits beside more 'mature' tracks from the last few years. The standout tracks here are indubitably those from their latter albums, on which the trio have cultivated an expressly tight, reliable heavy rock anthem/winsome-acoustic-ballad formula. Come Back Around, Seven Days In the Sun and Just A Day are all energetic bursts of punchy, big-riff-small-riff indie rock; Comfort In Sound, Turn and Feeling A Moment, straightforward radio-friendly melodies, but where Feeder truly shine is on the lush Forget About Tomorrow, a goosebump-inducing, orchestral-backed quasi-masterpiece. The critical point for Feeder came in 2002 with the suicide of Jon Lee. Although the demos for Comfort In Sound had already been recorded by his death, the event ripples through its tracks. Contrasted with the bombast of Buck Rogers from their previous album, Echo Park, the likes of Come Back Around and Forget About A Tomorrow are deeply affecting. 2005's Pushing The Senses is a happy medium between the two, and it's easy to read the band's music reflecting an acceptance of the event. Latest single and new track Lost & Found is a further return to more spiky, rocky and angular music.

The Singles is truly a fantastic collection of songs

Feeder's story is one of resilience, a quality fully demonstrated in their music throughout their career, which unbelievably is now over a decade long. Feeder's winning combination seems to have been a drawer full of good hooks and pop tunes, enhanced by singer Grant Nicholas and a vocal delivery that freely emotes. And despite the obstacles that have been placed before them, the band has comfortably outlasted many of their contemporaries. Feeder remain a band who lean towards that American way of rocking but they still project enough British savvy to distinguish themselves from other guitar bands. It is a fitting tribute to Feeder’s determination to triumph against adversity that the band delivered a 20-track Greatest Hits compilation – and a cracking one at that! The Singles is truly a fantastic collection of songs and a snapshot of the work of one of Wales' premier rock bands, and illustrates their consistency and quality control. It will be interesting to chart where they go from here it's all very well saying if it ain't broke, don't fix it, but you get the feeling there is enough creative energy between the three not to fall into that trap. For the meantime we can admire their spirit, and enjoy their spirited pop rock with the windows wide open.