Saint Etienne - You Need A Mess Of Help To Stand Alone

As the accompanying disc to SO TOUGH, it's easy to regard YOU NEED A MESS OF HELP TO STAND ALONE as the red-headed stepchild of Saint Etienne, but as an album, it provides its own charms. "Who Do You Think You Are" is another pop gem, and the dirty funk bass of "Filthy" is still a minor masterpiece. Though several of the tracks here were released as singles, others shine just as bright. "Archway People" is a beautiful slice of melancholy; "California Snow Story" is as dreamy as they get; and "Duke Duvet" throws in some Spanish guitar flavor. Stand alone? Almost certainly!