Dog Man Star is only the second album from Suede, but they are very ambitious here, attempting a more majestic album than their debut. IT's the kind of an album not too many bands would attempt. But singer Brett Anderson (in fine, unique voice throughout) and guitarist Bernard Butler (plenty of excellent playing) in particular are up to the task, though they ironically would split (Butler leaving the band) before the album was finished. There are some crunching songs like Heroine, We are the Pigs and very catchy New Generation. But the album's last four songs take things to a different level. The 2 of Us, Black or Blue, the Asphalt World and Still life are sprawling and operatic. It's not an album for everyday listening, and Suede themselves would rebel against it with a much simpler follow up, but it's a borderline masterpiece on a grand scale and Suede's best album.