The Supernaturals - It Doesnt Matter Anymore (1997)

After a string of successful singles, the Supernaturals' debut, It Doesn't Matter Anymore appeared and proved to be one of the finest britpop records of 1997. Filled with beautiful pop melodies, the Supernaturals' music is pretension-free and uninhibited; they are strictly a pop band. It Doesn't Matter Anymore is a brilliant debut of upbeat, sparkling pop singles and precious ballads, including the five stellar singles, "Smile," "Lazy Lover," "The Day After Yesterday's Man," "Free to Land" and "Love Has Passed Away." The punkish shuffle of "Stammer," and the expository drumming of the infectious opener, "Please Be Gentle with Me," are amongst the highlights of this album where dips in quality are few. Each track on the disc feels like a classic summertime anthem made for backyard barbecues and trips to the beach. It Doesn't Matter Anymore contains only a few slow spots -- most notably on the ballads, which are (for the most part) less inspired than the more uptempo tracks. While some of the lyrics and songs also have a tendency to become silly at times, It Doesn't Matter Anymore is an incredibly accomplished and compelling debut.