This is a rocking record that sounds like the early Pixies in their hungry days before Black Francis got fat and greedy; became Frank Black. I know the band is probably tired of the comparisons but it's true: It has a Surfa Rosa, Come On Pilgrim thing going on and that's actually a very good thing.
This drummer is hot and other than the singer the most interesting thing about the band. At times we get a Pubic Service Announcement denouncing something or other and then we might switch to noisy drums; then a sax and a trumpet all in one song with an energetic flurry. At times the drums are caught in a strange time sequence unrelated to what else is going on which for my ears brought images of, Gang of Four (strange as that may sound.)
The thing simply rocks in original ways. There's also an interesting interplay between the two singers that comes in on the second track. It's usual for a band of this punky kind to pay such attention to descent singing and helps set them apart from the pack.
Quite a treat actually. These guys are protesters and that combined with the style of music would mean Clash comparisons, but that wouldn't be entirely fair to the late great Joe Strummer no matter how much he might have enjoyed, Guns Are For Kids. Can't wait to see them live and I hope to see you there.
