There is no group or artist currently working who is on a par with Super Furry Animals, and as the principal melodymaker behind such an all-conqueringly brilliant band, it should come as no surprise to find that this solo album from frontman Gruff Rhys is a triumph from the first instant of the title track, right through to the final moment of "Chwarae'n Troi'n Chwerw".

Some people might be put off by the fact that it's all sung in Welsh, but these people are idiots and should be ignored. Others might be put off by the fact that it's a rough assemblage of simplistic drum machine beats, basic guitar and bass parts, and Gruff's overdubbed vocals, but these people are people without the capacity to truly appreciate music that hasn't been vacuum-formed in a record company vault somewhere in darkest central London. The melodies are beautiful, Gruff's voice is haunting, and he has a knack for harmonies like no-one since Brian Wilson.

Even more lo-fi than the Super Furries' earlier Welsh language-only "Mwng", "Yr Atal Genhedlaeth" shares much in common with the demo-quality recordings of Julian Cope's "Droolian" and his "Skellington" series, but Gruff Rhys' style is unique, his sense of humour subtle and intelligent, his ability to pluck at the heartstrings with the simplest and most delicate arrangements makes ballads such as "Ambell Waith" powerful and affecting even when the allegedly autobiographical lyrics are incomprehensible.

Every moment on here is a pop gem, although the anthemic revolutionary nonsense song "Ni Yw Y Byd" has a melody that would set stadiums alight the world over were it sung by Justin Timberlake, but then what would be the point of that? In the hands of Gruff Rhys it's something far more beautiful, pure and powerful, and he's giving it to us. Nice guy. -Ian Martin, Jan.19.05.

Yr Atal Genhedlaeth