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Queen Zee – ‘S/T’

Queen Zee – ‘S/T’

Released back in February to much critical acclaim, the debut self-titled album from Scouser proto-punks Queen Zee passed us by at RPM simply because…well, no one sent us a copy! With renewed interest following a stellar performance at Rebellion and an upcoming tour with Skunk Anansie, we dug in, and we dug in deep.

So, we may be late to the party, but the late-comers get to smoke weed with the punks in the kitchen, while the straight kids try to get off with the beauty queens on the sofa…or maybe that’s just my teenage flashbacks! Anyway I digress, this album is a soundtrack for the outsiders, the outcasts and the kids who just wanna raise a middle finger to the ones who try to bring them down.

 

“I’m alone, I’m alone, I’m a loner” snarls singer Zee on album opener ‘Loner’. Delivered straight from the crotch, part Iggy and part Ziggy, it’s an anthemic, glam-slam slice of noise. This is as trashy and as cool as it gets kids. Sometimes a song just hits you from the first bar and ‘Loner’ is one of those songs. My interest is piqued and it doesn’t diminish for the next thirty minutes or so.

Maybe we have a band who can triumph where others have failed and truly ignite the touch paper and start a rock ‘n’ roll revolution for Generation Z (or should that be Generation Zee?)

Apparently, Zee is flying the flag for trans artists. Now, I couldn’t care less if their singer is a boy, a girl or a freakin unicorn! What I do care is that Zee rocks, and lo and behold Zee does rock!

‘Lucy Fur’ is a high energy blast of noise with enough glitter and stack heeled strut to entice a theatre full of Rocky Horror enthusiasts and enough raw guitar power to draw in the hardest of punks. ‘Sissy Fists’ is a darker, heavier beast altogether. Riding on a brooding bassline and urgent beats, it drips cool from every pore as Zee screams into the mic. This is a fight song pure and simple. Talking of fight songs ‘Idle Crown’ comes on like ‘Mechanical Animals’ era Marilyn Manson, and that is a sound for sore ears if ever there was one.

A small, Liverpool-based band who are just finding their feet, but sound like they are ready to take on the world, Queen Zee have an element of danger to their sound, like Manson did, like Iggy did like The Lee Harvey Oswald Band did. I get the feeling this band is living it. Yeah, I do believe Queen Zee are 4 real!

“You fuck like a porno movie” Zee drawls in the best Bowie/Manson hybrid I’ve heard in years. The song is called ‘Porno’, don’t play it in front of your mum! Their high energy pump and grind sound is perfect space-age punk rock, the likes of ‘Victim Age’ and ‘Boy’ are fiery, angst-ridden bursts of energy.

The tongue-in-cheek lyricism of closer ‘I Hate Your New Boyfriend’ is cool before it veers off on a sort of extended reprise as Zee rants over the noisy, repetitive riff the band jam out.

 

Defiantly political and openly queer, Queen Zee are a band who blend sleazy, punk rock sounds with socially aware lyricism, tackling homophobia and transphobia amongst other issues. They dare to raise a fist and yell and tell everyone who will listen that being different is ok. At times they are sleazy and throwaway, at other times they are deadly serious and they sound fresh as fuck in this fucked up world we live in.

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Author: Ben Hughes

SMALLTOWN TIGERS announce the release of their debut single

SMALLTOWN TIGERS announce the release of their debut single
Fast-rising garage-punks SMALLTOWN TIGERS announce the release of their debut single, along with their first ever UK dates.

The band, from the east coast Italian city of Rimini, came together last year, cutting their teeth on the local squat scene before clinching the support slot on a tour with visiting New Yorkers Baby Shakes.

Working with noted blues-punk musician Stiv Cantarelli (Silent Strangers, J.D. Hangover, The A.C.C.) in the production chair, the girls laid down eight original songs, later having the tracks mastered for release by legendary Detroit producer Jim Diamond (White Stripes, Dirtbombs, Sonics).

Signing to one of Europe’s leading garage-punk labels Area Pirata, the trio – Valli (bass/vocals), Monty (guitar) and Serena (drums) – are set to release their debut mini-album in the New Year. It will be preceded, on Friday 27 September, by the digital single ‘Just Friends’.

Smalltown Tigers hit the UK in October for their first ever overseas dates, playing four gigs in three days, including an appearance at female punk collective Loud Women’s 4th Birthday Party at the Hope & Anchor in Islington. Full dates are…

Thurs 10 Oct – The Railway Hotel, Southend-on-Sea

Fri 11 Oct – The Shacklewell Arms, Dalston, London (Garageland Club)

Sat 12 Oct – The Hope & Anchor, Islington, London (Loud Women 4th Birthday – onstage 5pm)

Sat 12 Oct – Biddle Bros, Clapton, London (onstage 10pm)

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Dinosaur Jr – Green Mind/ Where You Been/ Without A Sound/ Hand It Over (Cherry Red Records)

Dinosaur Jr – Green Mind/ Where You Been/ Without A Sound/ Hand It Over (Cherry Red Records)

Considered something of a maverick and not known for his interview sparkle J Mascis is some guitar player and songwriter.  He’s been fairly consistent for several decades now and that’s no mean feat.  through some choppy waters and more style changes this industry moves fast and if you stand still you will get left behind or trampled underfoot unless that is you are at the top of the pile and Dinosaur Jr were certainly that mainly due to this quartet of exemplary releases that dovetailed a new musical wind that blew away plenty of cobwebs  and ushered in the likes of Dinosaur Jr and let them just put the music out and perform it without turning everything into a circus and put simply let the music do the talking and boy, did these albums talk.

Starting with ’91s classic ‘Green Mind‘. Originally coming out on Sire Records this was the dawn of a new musical era and with Mascis playing virtually everything on the record this version encapsulates the lot from that period pulling the ‘Wagon’ single and the subsequent non-album EP’s as well as live material from the period it also draws comprehensive sleeve notes from Mojo Magazines Keith Cameron who interviewed Mascis for these releases. ‘Green Mind’ lit the touchpaper and was most definitely something of a flag bearer for what was to follow.

The album still retains that freshness and wall of sound it had back in the early ’90s songs like ‘Puke + Cry’ and the title track was and still are awesome songs and have stood the test of time.  The real gold here is pulling together the EP’s tracks like the snarling ‘Pebbles + Weeds’ and the excellent ‘Not You Again’ and the Bowie cover of ‘Quicksand (Wagon Reprise)’ and the feedback riffola of ‘Whatever’s Cool With Me’. Whoever had the wherewithal to pull this together with the live recordings deserves a pay rise.

Disc two sees a previously unreleased live recording from Hollywood from the time the record originally came out that features tracks like ‘the Lung’ ‘Keep The Glove’ and ‘Blowing It’ and the brilliant ‘Freak Scene’ it’s loose and loud but for fans, it’s essential listening. The vinyl sees an edited down tracklist due to the length of the running order but essential in my humble opinion.

Buy Green Mind Here

 ‘Where You Been’ – was the band’s fifth record and quickly became the band biggest-selling record.  93 and the world were gripped by Grunge mania and Dinosaur Jr was considered something of a premier league player besides they hit the charts with the first single taken from the record and one of their finest ever tunes – ‘Start Choppin’ became a hit.  ‘Where You Been’ sold well over a quarter of a million copies when it came out thrusting the trio into the American top 10.  They were no longer an underground band with chart success in most record-buying communities.  Having been invited to record a session with John Peel those tracks are collected here on disc two along with another great sounding live recording taken in St Pauls way back in ’93.

I’d not played this album in a number of years but one play brought home how great tracks like the gentle ‘Goin’ Home’ sounds as does the epic ‘Not The Same’.they’ve again pulled in the B sides and other tracks like pulling in the Funky Homosapien track ‘Missing Link’ taken from the Judgement Night soundtrack. But its disc two that fans will be all over from those Peel sessions to the acoustic tracks taken from the Evening Sessions ‘Severed Lip’ and ‘Thumb’  before the eight tracks taken from St Pauls not the best sounding recordings but essential listening for fans. I have in my collection a strange fruit release of a Peel sessions that have more tracks on it but that’s not all here. Regardless another era-defining album that is an essential purchase.

Where You Been 

‘Without A Sound‘ came at a cost as long-time drummer Murph bailed on the band leaving Mascis to perform the album almost single handidly.  It did achieve further commercial success as this one reached #44 in the US album charts a new high and spawned a couple of big singles in the shape of the albums opening two tracks ‘Feel The Pain’ and the more accessible ‘I Don’t Think So’.

The band had never been so popular and ‘Without A Sound’ also saw them tour extensively in support of the record. I knew it had to happen but this album pulls in b sides and live recordings but four instrumentals is really reaching out to the anoraks amongst us I guess if you want to do an early 90s karaoke.

The second disc sees the band rock up in London with a really excellent sounding recording that kicks off with a blistering ‘Freak Scene’ closely followed by a brutal ‘Out there’ that make up five tracks that are getting their first-ever airing. it also houses a guitar players dream as the band performs a near ten minute ‘What Else Is New’.  To be fair there isn’t a great deal of repetition throughout these albums and considering they are made up of sessions and live material you don’t get a dozen takes of ‘Start Choppin’ or ‘the Wagon’ unlike many other reissues labels and bands put out.  A great deal of care and attention has gone into these and the quality shines through. As for the live shows included this London one is on another level.

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‘Hand It Over’ The final reissue of the classic era Dinosaur Jr sees the band return in ’97 and many proclaiming that American alternative Rock is dead and buried but Mascis has other ideas.  With pretty much the same formula that has served him well he remained somewhat detached from all the drama that was Grunge. I remember putting the CD in the player and the moment ‘I Don’t Think’ broke out it was unmistakable Dinosaur Jr. ‘Never Bought It’ sailed close to a bit of alt prog with the flute but that’s all wiped away with the raw guitar of ‘Nothing’s Going On’. Mascis has an instantly recognizable vocal style but the sound has certainly evolved.

there are experimental moments with the horn on ‘I’m Insane’ but the title might be a declaration to explain the horn who knows?  All things change but some things stay the same, ‘Can’t We Move This Along’ has the familiar overdriven bonkers guitar work and the epic ‘Alone’ is right up there with Mascis finest pieces. ‘Getting Rough’ is cotton pickin bluegrass that I never saw coming. Whilst the album eases out with the gentle ‘Gotta Know’ its then the bonus material sees what was originally a bonus disc on the original release of tracks written for a Matt Dillon movie ‘Grace Of My Heart’.  ‘Take A Run At The Sun’ is a classic but the punk thrasher of ‘what We Do Is Secret’ is most welcome along with a couple of tracks live From ABC. To round things off and complete this delve into the majestic world of classic dinosaur Jr there are nine tracks recorded live in Stockholm Sweden.

so, in conclusion, it’s fair to say you are gonna need these and in for a penny in for a pound you might have to get the complete set of CD’s and LPs now I’m going to have to ask for a raise on my pocket money because I can’t pass these by.

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Author: Dom Daley

The Hip Priests/Rotten Foxes/Flash House/Glitter Piss – Brighton, The Pipeline – 20th August 2019

The Hip Priests/Rotten Foxes/Flash House/Glitter Piss – Brighton, The Pipeline – 20th August 2019

Ah Brighton! I’ve not been here for a gig in almost a decade and to be honest walking the streets in the run-up to tonight’s show, not a lot has really changed in the intervening time. The city’s lively side streets still very much remind me of the London I once loved, long before money swept it’s streets clean of anything remotely interesting and its down one of these side streets that you will also find the new home for The Pipeline, one such victim of London’s transformation from cultural capital to capitalist culture.

Situated just a pebble’s throw from the beach on Little E Street, and right next to the alley where Steph and Jimmy had their “moment” in Quadrophenia, The Pipeline is a rock bar with a twist, because whilst it has a great jukebox and an upstairs pinball/live music room it also doubles as a vegan restaurant serving some mighty fine food indeed, and tonight it’s packed out well before 7 pm.

That’s because with an entry fee of just £5 this superb four-band bill has to be one of the bargains of the year for the more discerning music fan, and it appears Brighton has quite a few of those. Thing is with the upstairs room having only a 50 capacity (it makes the Chameleon in Nottingham look like Madison Square Garden) and there being no pre-sale tickets available, I do have to wonder if I will actually get in?

The cooling effect of the ink cross on the back of my hand certainly does my OCD the world of good and I can finally relax and enjoy myself but not before the pint of Estrella is quickly knocked out of my hand and  I’m thrust straight into the live-action via a frenzied pit ready for some Glitter Piss. This Brighton based five specialise in fast and furious urine-soaked punk rock with songs based around subjects like; losing it in work, dealing with STDs, losing it on vodka and of course partying and that’s what Brighton’s most clued-in music fans are here to do tonight.

With Rotten Foxes’ MacDaddy on guitar Glitter Piss are always going to have a small nod towards them sound-wise, but at times tonight the other band they really remind me of are The Ghost Of A Thousand, particularly around the time of their ‘New Hopes, New Demonstrations’ album and that’s not just because there’s a tall ginger bloke called Tom in both of the bands either.  Trust me when I say that if Glitter Piss can bottle this live energy and keep it together long enough to actually take their songs into a studio, we could very well be looking at the next “ones to watch” on the UK underground.

London’s Flash House are of course not only Slugfest veterans but long-time favourites here at RPM Towers so it’s no surprise to me that the stifling heat of The Pipeline only acts like fuel to Crusty, Mike, Matt and Harry as they take opener ‘Raising Cane’ and proceed to ram it down the throats of everyone in here tonight. ‘Yeti 69’ from the band’s recent split single with The Hip Priests sounds absolutely glorious alongside tracks from their now out of print ‘Brown Sauce’ album like ‘Three Wise Monkeys’ and ‘Domestic Hiss’, and finishing with a frenzied ‘Flash House’ I cannot help but imagine that the Lemmy picture the guys are playing in front of gives them a little knowing wink. Outstanding stuff once again, now give us the second album ya flash (house) fuckers.

Having been aware of their music (and high taste in fashion) for a good few years it’s taken me ages to actually see Rotten Foxes live. Now, just as they are about to split up, I get to see them twice in the space of two weeks, talk about perfect timing eh? Bassist Jimi Dymond and singer Rusty Nails are visibly moved when I mention Dom Daley’s review of their recent Rebellion performance to them just prior to them going on stage tonight, such is the passion these four guys still have for their music with just a few gigs left before they split up. They promise me there’s still some new music left to come (more of this in a moment) and of course there’s still a handful of shows at which you can experience their whack ‘em and smack ‘em brand of death punk live for yourself.

Tonight though is made all the more special as it’s Rotten Foxes personal thank you to The Pipeline’s owner Thomas Evrenos, someone who has supported the band ever since The Pipeline moved to their city, and just as you would expect for such a special event the ceiling is dripping with sweat as the punk pop is ordered to be cut from the PA and the upstairs room goes totally fucking nuts to the likes of ‘Ship It In’ and ‘Make Me Pretty’ (both taken from the band’s recently released and totally essential ‘Arrive, Raise Hell, Leave’ EP). There’s a moment during the latter when I feel I might end up in the downstairs bar like some long-lost outtake from Carry On Abroad, such is the power of the mullet in the pit tonight.

‘Dehumanise’ is the double denim teaser new track aired and it’s a brutal beast too, one that we’ll hopefully get to hear properly once the one PC the band owns finally gets fixed and they can get the fourth EP up on Bandcamp. Like Dom said in his Rebellion review that a band as exciting as Rotten Foxes are calling it a day whilst the rock world is still overflowing with beige shite is truly a sad day indeed. Just make sure you get to see the band’s jail rat tattooed asses before they do finally call it a day in just a few weeks’ time.  Rotten Foxes I fucking salute you!

Fresh from touring across Europe and the UK with Electric Frankenstein and The Dwarves, The Hip Priests are the perfect headliners for tonight’s shenanigans as they are both very tight and very exciting right now (if you will excuse the Godawful pun). With just a simple line check between bands (I’m sensing a tight curfew is in place) “those fuckin’ boys” head straight into an opening trio of ‘Motherfucker Superior’, ‘Instant Delinquent’ and ‘Stand For Nothing’ sounding positively imperious.

Just prior to ‘Zero Fucks Given’ Austin and Nathan hang from an open upstairs window long enough to berate the locals, not man enough to finish the four-band bill, the singer taking a well-aimed gob at the plastic punks sitting below. Who said punk rock was dead eh?

Punk rock politics aside it’s the addition of Gentle Ben on second guitar that has proven to be something of an inspired move by the band as now they all lock into tracks like ‘Social Hand Grenade’ and ‘Deja FU’ from the excellent ‘Stand For Nothing’ album and simply don’t let up. It’s that added fifth dimension the band have always been looking for finally brought to life right in front of your naked steaming eyes, oh, and double denim nut huggers aside (worn as a tribute to Rotten Foxes), tonight really is The Hip Priests at their very best.

Returning for a two-song encore that sees various other band members join The Priests on stage for a mass pile on that ends with a run through the Foxes ‘Pints’ before the suitably titled ‘Wired Amped & Skulled’ brings things to a sweaty and bloody conclusion I stagger downstairs and out into the night feeling like I’ve just been sucker punched by Shawn Michaels, totally shocked and dazed by what has gone before. So much so in fact that I head straight back to my digs just to try to get my shit together. How very un-rock ‘n’ roll of me eh?

At £5 entry for a night of full contact rock ‘n’ roll this one has to be marked in time alongside my encounters with The Dogs D’Amour in Cardiff Square Club, Nirvana In Bristol Bierkeller and Gilbert The Alien in Cardiff Ice Rink (Yup I really did see him live) as one of those had to be there nights. Let’s hope it won’t be another 10 years before I get to go back to Brighton as I’ve a feeling The Pipeline will have a lot more nights like these in store for us very soon.

Author: Johnny Hayward

The Hold Steady – Thrashing Thru The Passion (Frenchkiss Records)

The Hold Steady – Thrashing Thru The Passion (Frenchkiss Records)

So who’s doin’ the ragged Americana these days?  Gaslight Anthem went on hiatus Paul Westerberg has vanished outta sight I don’t know whos hitting the right notes and whos got that ragged guitar-driven story tellin’ Rock and Roll thing goin’ on?  the Hold Steady it would seem still like to turn up the amps, they still like to rock out they still haven’t gone full country or joined the balladeer circuit (well they might have individually but as a unit) these cats still make a noise.

Opener ‘Denver Haircut’ is just a great little uptempo story about the guy n gal next door but it’s done through a clean marshall amp and sounds mighty fine.  ‘You Did Good Kid’ is like Eels but louder or Waits with a better, less damaged voice.  Its got a lot of music going on under the storytelling with keyboards being hit and horn being honked damn there’s even tubular bells being struck if I’m not mistaken.  If Bruce hit writer’s block I know a band he could work with who would get him and what he does perfectly without becoming the E Street Band but no doubt were influenced by him especially on ‘Traditional Village’.

Finn is up there with the likes of Nick Cave for captivating an audience with his take on life and just scratching around surviving and the guy next door or down the street something someone like Mellencamp use to own. ‘Entitlement Crew’ is a class example of this whilst ‘T-Shirt Tux’ is like Costello when he started out with his Attractions.

The quality is maintained to the bitter end through the Lou Reed guitar clash of ‘Star 18’ and closing proceedings off with the jaunty ‘Confusion In The Marketplace’ I guess it is what it is and an album I was looking forward to picking up because I felt I trusted Finn and the band to just deliver a stone wall solid record and that’s just what I’ve got.  Whist its not going to change the world for half an hour it’ll make it a much brighter place and I love that.

Buy Thrashing Thru The Passion Here

Author: Dom Daley

Christmas – Live & Lewd (Self Release)

Christmas – Live & Lewd (Self Release)

Not many bands are able to say that they played nearly 500 shows in nine years all over Europe but Christmas can. So, It all makes sense that right here right now ‘Live & Lewd’ just about sums up exactly where these hardcore punk rock and rollers are at.

Leaving nothing to chance and certainly leaving nothing on the stage (or the pit) Christmas are a full-force experience and this recording recorded last year proves that. It’s a 100% bullshit free zone with loud guitars and lots of full-throttle noise.

Classics like “Moonshine Love”, “Appetite For Self-destruction” or “Cracksong” as well as the new song “Go Hard Or Go Home” kick the shit out of anyone’s speakers. These German road dogs love touring that much is obvious and whilst the studio albums are treats its live where they rule and this is as good a representation as any.  Its real hardcore in your face no overdubs no bullshit and feedback howling fast as fuck punk rock.

 

At times these guys will give the likes of Poison Idea a run for their money and some.  the immense ‘Suicide Girls’ is right out of that old school Hardcore pocket and is brutal as fuck as is the pounding ‘Army Of Losers’.

Sixteen songs in half an hour I’d expect nothing less and to maintain the power, pace and intensity is testament to just how good a band Christmas is.  After songs like ‘I Hate’ played without any overdubs and just pounding the listener from the off I feel the need to go find someone just to hug them and for them to tell me everything will be alright. ‘You Bore Me’ is awesome a bit like pretty much all of this.  More punk than punk more hardcore than hardcore live and Lewd is exactly that exactly what it says on the tin.  Champion stuff indeed I suggest you get on this if you love noisy fuckers kicking seven shades out of their instruments with all the finesse and style of a prime time prizefighter Christmas deliver a live album just like you’d hope they would.  ‘Go Hard Or Go Home’ couldn’t have put it better myself – Ave it!

LIVE & LEWD will be released September 6th, on Digipack CD in a limited edition of 100 copies.

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Author: Dom Daley

Rainy Days & Mondays

Rainy Days & Mondays

OK, bank holiday so the commute is on hold – what better way to celebrate than with some kick-ass rock and roll.  Here ya go have some ear candy courtesy of Los Pepes with ‘Let Me Tell You Something’ from their album “Positive Negative”. Out UK/Europe via Wanda Records and Adrenaline Fix Music and the USA via Spaghetty Town Record. Pick it up, folks! Hear full LP Here:

Second up this band holiday is this New Jersey Band we love they play some mean anti-folk punk rock  Called Crazy and The Brains.  Check out this video from earlier this year

Finally, you can bounce along to this bad boy from Redd Kross.  A simply delicious way to spend any day regardless of this one being a bank holiday here on shit island.

Because its a bank holiday get an earful (and eyeful) of this stone-cold bad boy from Dead Furies with ‘Stay Gold Ponyboy’ taken from their soon to be released album ‘Stay Gold’  another one to add to the list of must-own albums.

The Kingcrows – Brute Force And Ignorance (Corvus Rex Recordings)

The Kingcrows – Brute Force And Ignorance (Corvus Rex Recordings)

Four years on from the release of our last album ‘Funland’, we now have thirteen more tracks of sleaze-punk-n-roll insanity with all the subtlety and refinement of a boot in the jewels or something like that as Kingcrows hit you over the bonce with no subtlety but plenty of volume and catchy chorus’ that can and will bounce around your head.

From the off their cards are on the table – fast as fuck – loads of fun – some great Green Day riffage loads of Ramones friendly lyrics and chord changes and Lee Terry smashing the fuck out of his kit for your listening pleasure.  That’s ‘Psycho Radio’ in a nutshell.

To be fair that’s pretty much the aim throughout.  the kingcrows love punk rock and loud guitars and sing-a-longs and therefore why wouldn’t they make a record crammed full of more of the same. Its got some rock muscle in there just for the craic and throw in some goofyness and you have yourselves some Babysitters humour and Rock and Roll added for good measure.  To be fair the world was a simpler place when The teenage idols walked the earth so why wouldn’t we love a band who want to sing about ‘Car Crash Cadillac’ or loving themselves with some twelve-bar played fast and loads of sing-a-long harmonies.

‘Vic The Vigilante’ has a great big riff and easy on that cowbell Mr. Terry (you’ll break it). The Ramones made a living out of this stuff and why not? ‘City Kids’ is like a fucked up and bastardised ‘Tie Your Mother Down’ on the riff then its pure Yob rock – Ave it!

Heads down for a bucket full of fun as ‘Bum Notes And Feedback’ slam dances into the cheeky ‘Z List Celebrity’. ‘Saturday Night Rock City’ turns it up to 11 before ‘One Night Only’ ushers in some Wildhearts vibes and starts slam dancing into what FD4 were trying to achieve a few years ago. ‘Do What You Do’ starts off with some serious hard rockin’ intro before a subs like low slung verse mixed with a cool chorus. Possibly the best track on the record and I do like the breakdown there’s never enough bass and drums rundowns in punk rock.

With (unlucky for some) thirteen tracks on offer, there are no slushy ballads there might be plenty of borrowed riffs and chord changes but they dig deep into the bag of influences from the glam punks of Hanoi Rocks to the hard Rock of The Wildhearts and classic punks like the UK Subs there are plenty of songs that tap into a long line of punk rockers and I like that and Kingcrows do it really well to be fair. You bring the beer and These four will bring the tunes ‘Brute Force And Ignorance’ is a right tidy piece of punk rock n roll and that’s not always an easy thing to achieve. Nice one chaps!

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Author: Dom Daley

Frank Turner – ‘No Man’s Land’ (Xtra Mile Recordings)

Frank Turner – ‘No Man’s Land’ (Xtra Mile Recordings)

Everyone’s favourite Etonian punk poet Frank Turner is back in familiar territory on album number 8, musically anyway. Turner has stated that he does not want to repeat himself with each album and ‘No Man’s Land’ sees the troubadour approach writing an album from a different angle. ‘No Man’s Land’ is a concept album based on the tales of forgotten women in history. From a 17th century Camden landlady who poisoned and cooked her lovers, to a Dutch courtesan, executed by firing squad, onto the tale of an Egyptian feminist, history buff Turner has done his homework .

A series of podcasts entitled ‘Tales From No Man’s Land’ accompany each song, and the themes of strong women stretch further than just the lyrical content. Gone (for now) is his band The Sleeping Souls, replaced by a full female backing band and producer to boot.

 

Frank’s canny lyricism and his knack of telling a fine tale does have a tendency to draw you in, and you can’t help but immerse yourself in the lives of these women. Some you will have heard of, some you won’t have a clue about, but after a few listens you will find yourself reaching for Wikipedia to find out a bit more. While over the course of a 3 and a half minute song the songwriter can only say so much, the point is made, and it’s up to the listener to find out more. Sometimes it works a treat and other times… not so much.

Opener ‘Jinny Bingham’s Ghost’ is a mighty fine, upbeat drinking song. Fiddles and skiffle beats fill the air like The Urban Voodoo Machine partying with The Pogues, as Frank reels off the first of many tall tales. Interestingly, the story is set in Camden Town, at The Underworld, on the spot where Jinny Bingham ran the tavern where she committed her dirty deeds.

The following ‘Sister Rosetta’ is typical Turner radio fodder. A pop-laced, perfect single about the godmother of rock ‘n’ roll, who I first learned about through the teachings of Alabama 3. A nifty accompanying guitar riff and a crisp production job courtesy of Catherine Marks makes this song sparkle and shine.

The jazzy ‘Nica’ is a complete contrast from anything else and works really well. Full of brass, woodwind and smoky juke joint vibes, it mirrors the subject matter perfectly. Elsewhere, the album falters in just a few places. ‘Silent Key’, about tragic Challenger Space Shuttle astronaut Christa McAuliffe, is a song that first featured on the album ‘Positive Songs For Negative People’. It’s a bit of a (space) oddity to be honest. Frank just seems to be going through the motions here with a lazy vocal melody that doesn’t really go anywhere. And closing track ‘Rosemary Jane’, a song about his mum, while heartfelt and personal to Frank, is just plain dull.

But there certainly are flashes of brilliance to behold. The stripped back country of ‘Eye Of The Day’ closes side one ‘Nebraska’ style, just the man and his acoustic laid bare, recounting the tragic tale of Mata Hari and her untimely death. Simple, heartfelt and probably my favourite track right now.

Soaring choruses in the likes of ‘I Believed You, William Blake’, written through the eyes of his long suffering wife Catherine, and the epic feel of side 2 opener ‘The Death Of Dora Hand’ stay with me long after my white vinyl album has stopped spinning and I turn my attention to find more about these remarkable women.

 

‘No Man’s Land’ is a perfectly executed album, to be listened to from start to finish as a body of work. The podcasts are interesting, though not essential to enjoy the album to its fullest. Some have labelled the concept of this album as ‘gimmicky’ before even hearing the fruits of his labour, but I say this album is far from it. Is it Frank’s best album? No, but it’s up there with his best and has already had the most plays since ‘England Keep My Bones’ was released for me, so he must be doing something right. A lot of thought has gone into the production, the concept and the lavish packaging and it makes ‘No Man’s Land’ a welcome addition to anyone’s collection. Fascinating stuff indeed.

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Author: Ben Hughes