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Jul 13, 2015 Web Exclusive By Dan Lucas

At first glance, Mwng seems like an odd choice for a 15th anniversary rerelease from the newly reformed Super Furry Animals. Sung entirely in Welsh, with an unpronounceable title, it’s probably fair to say that this isn’t their most beloved album. When their reunion for a bunch of live dates was announced, it’s hard to imagine there were many fans thinking “Ooh I hope they play ‘Drygioni.’”

There is, of course, more to it than that. The album was rereleased on May 1st (apologies for the tardiness), which is International Workers’ Day: six days before the British General Election, about which vocalist Gruff Rhys had been, uh, vocal in his fears about the threat of the right-wing Conservative party. The Tories’ massive election victory makes this rerelease feel, in retrospect, like something of a futile gesture.

This reissue—its second, 10 years after the 2005 US edition—comes with the obligatory live tracks and Peel Sessions takes, but is still elevated above the level of “perfunctory.” The bonus tracks are a neat reminder of the band’s ability to make difficult music connect with a live audience. Moreover though, this serves as a nice reminder of just how pleasant it will be to have the Super Furry’s lovely, low-fi scuzzy dreampop back for the summer’s festival circuit.

From a lesser band, this would be a pointless reissue designed purely to rake in a few bucks. In the hands of one of this era of British music’s curios though, it’s a decent, if odd, reacquaintance. (www.superfurry.com)

Author rating: 7/10