The Placid Casual

I'm surprised no-one's commented on this, it's brilliant. When I got the album about 2 months ago I couldn't stop listening to this track, I enjoy it so much I can't help grinning when it comes on. And as usual it has the most ridiculous, but poetic, lyrics. How do they do that....?

I've been listening to this song since '98 and I've never gotten around to figuring it out. A "casual" is sort of like the British version of a white trash soccer fan. Alls I can gather is that the song is about a, animal that wears jerseys while burglarizing appliance stores and maintaining a docile exterior.

Casuals weren't just white trash soccer fans. They were highly fashion conscious, with looks and which labels were in and out changing from week to week. There were fanzines written that were often sold on football terraces. Although originally an '80s thing it's influenced re-emerged with the rise of the Madchester (the Hacienda club, Stone Roses, Happy Mondays), dance / house music (imported via Ibizia, Junior Boys Own etc.) and people involved with fanzines moving into mainstream publication with 'Lads Mags' (Loaded) style and music glossies. Quite what relevance that has to the song though, I'm not at all sure. The band though definately have casual influences - the outdoor wear and trainers.