In It for the Money [Deluxe Expanded Edition]

Supergrass' debut album, I Should Coco, rushed by at such a blinding speed that some listeners didn't notice the melodic complexity of its best songs. On their second album, the cleverly titled In It for the Money, the band brings the songs to the forefront, slowing the tempos considerably and constructing a varied, textured record that makes their ambition and skill abundantly clear. From the droning mantra of the opening title track, it's apparent that the band has delved deeply into psychedelia; hints of Magical Mystery Tour are evident throughout the album, from swirling organs and gurgling wah-wahs to punchy horn charts and human beatboxes. Supergrass substitute such sonic details for I Should Coco's punky rush, and while that means the band only occasionally touches upon the breakneck pace of their debut (the hard-driving "Richard III"), it also deepens their joyful exuberance with subtle songs and remarkably accomplished musicianship. There might not be a "Caught by the Fuzz" or "Alright" on In It for the Money, but that's not a problem, since the bright explosion of "Sun Hits the Sky" and the nervy "Tonight" are just as energetic, and the album features introspective numbers like the gorgeous "Late in the Day" and "It's Not Me" that give it substantial weight. Even with all this musical maturity, Supergrass haven't sacrificed their good-natured humor, as proven by the detailed production and the bizarre closer, "Sometimes I Make You Sad." Sometimes, maturity turns out to be everything it's supposed to be. [The CD version of the 2021 Deluxe Expanded Edition of In It for the Money features a remastered version of the album proper, along with B-sides, demos, and alternate takes, and a selection of live recordings including the band's January 1998 show at Nottingham, England's Rock City.]