Obviously, we need a psychiatrist to assist us further with this topic!
Catatonia deliberetly tries to make their songs accessible to a broad audience, while at the same time not shying away from original, experimental, or even potentially abrasive sounds. The result is a mix of hooky pop and underground indie rock.
The songs are characterized by clever lyrics and Matthew's enticing, raspy vocals, which have made her a bit of a sex symbol. Also prominent is her Welsh accent (though this feature is most likely lost on anyone outside the UK).
The band, in its music, lyrics, and PR, are proudly, or at least happily, Welsh. This, they have insisted, should not be taken too seriously, as they are more internationalists than nationalists (hence the name of their 1998 release, [International Velvet]?
After their rise to fame, it became clear that Matthews was not coping well with the increased pressure, suffering from anxiety and nervous exhaustion which resulted in the cancellation of several concert tours and a deterioration in the relationships between the band members. In 2001, after the release of a new album Paper Scissors Stone, the band officially split.
Another book, To Hell and Back with Catatonia, was released June 1, 2001, written by Brian Wright. ISBN 0946719365 (amazon.com, search)
Important Catatonia related information is available at http://www.catatonia.com/