Simple Plan set to return with RnB fuelled new album

Canadian pop punk middle-weights Simple Plan return on January 29 with their self-titled third studio album produced by acclaimed Timbaland producer Danja.

Music News spoke to lead guitarist Jeff Stinco about how the new album marks a big step forward for the band.

"This records like a new beginning, a new sound, it's the album we've always wanted to make but it's taken us eight years to get there."

Whenever a band takes its music in a new direction, there's always a danger of alienating hardcore fans, and many would be sceptical of a pop/punk band like Simple Plan taking RnB as an influence, but Stinco isn't worried:

"Fans won't be disappointed, there are still strong harmonies and a distinct rock sensibility to the music, but it just sounds a lot richer and more diverse. Pierre's [Bouvier – lead singer] voice is really distinct so the new songs are still very much Simple Plan."

The band have been listening to a lot of different music while writing this album, which explains the unusual mix of styles: "Punk rock was still important while we were coming up with the album but our music's a lot less derivative this time around, so we're really excited about it.

"I think if you listen you might hear a lot of different bands. Personally I really like British music and Hard-Fi are one of my favourite bands at the moment, but the people I'd like to meet the most have to be the U2 guys, I love everything they've produced."

The first single from the new album: "When I'm Gone" shows the RnB influences right from the off, with a pounding beat and studio effects ushering in a stabbing verse before an anthemic chorus which includes the lyrics: "Misery loves company, well so long, you'll miss me when I'm gone".

Another song from the album: "Generation", is Stinco's favourite from the album: "It has a big trumpet intro and this great guitar riff which is really anthemic.

"I've really tried to get my guitaring up a notch; I've been exploring all these exotic ideas and practicing my ass off!"

The album is also a more personal effort than 2004's "Still Not Getting Any": "The songs deal with relationships a lot, not necessarily boy and girl but more family and friends. We focused on more social issues rather than being dragged into politics."

2007 marks the eighth year Simple Plan have been together, and the ties between them now are as strong as ever: "We've known each other 15 years, we're like high school buddies. To be honest we probably spend too much time together!"

The band have played shows all over the world in the past: "I particularly enjoyed South East Asia, the fans there are mad, but for me Australia holds the highest place in my heart, it's a lot like Canada but with good weather."

Currently preparing for a tour of the US in December, UK fans will have to wait until January to hear how the album has turned out, but Stinco admitted there's a strong possibility of them playing next year's Reading and Leeds Festivals so the waiting should pay off.