He may be out of the Wildhearts for good, but CJ Wildheart still
carries that monicker for good reason. He was always more than just Ginger’s sideman and has proven over the years that he can hold his own as a songwriter, a singer and a frontman.
From the likes of Honeycrack, The Jellys and his decade of solo albums, CJ has carried a torch for punky, pop music, where the guitars are loud & raw, the vocals abrasive and the melodies are as sweet as a sugar-coated lollipop.
With not an acoustic guitar in sight CJ Wildheart offers us an early look at his brand-new long player ‘Slots’, and with long time drummer Jason Bawld behind the kit and Dave Draper on production duties, I am expecting good things.
Opener ‘Another Big Mistake’ is an anthem that sets the bar at a frantic pace. Pummelling beats and a wall of distortion lead to an earworm of a chorus you’ll be shouting from the rooftops for weeks.
If you’ve any doubts about CJ’s songwriting suss then first single ‘The Baddest Girl In The World’ will put you straight. With crunchy riffs aplenty and a chorus as instant as a Costa cappuccino, it’s an instant (sorry!) winner.
Raw, snotty and unadulterated, yet always melodic, the 70’s punk influence is prevalent throughout ‘Slots’, especially on the likes of ‘Beg’ and ‘Coma’. Side 1 ends with the more commercial feel of ‘The Kids’, with CJ giving more than a hint of a cockernee snarl going on, which is nice.
Drop the virtual needle on side 2 and we are treated to a cover of The Jam classic ‘In The City’. An Iconic riff and an iconic song. This is a raw version brimming with an energy that fits the feel of the album perfectly.
‘Bent’ is an acerbic assault on the senses, as vocals and pummelling drums flail around and vocals are spat with defiance.
‘You Got The Best Outta Me’ is an instant classic on first listen for me. A euphoric burst of energy with a memorable chorus that nods to the likes of Stiff Little Fingers or The Clash at their ferocious best, love it.
The title track could be a Wildhearts B side (and we all know how good they could be). With a hypnotic refrain, a certain juxtaposition of heaviness and melody that only the likes of The Wildhearts can capture, it’s no real surprise it became the album title. A glorious noise indeed.
The album closes on a high with the familiar riff of ‘I Don’t Know What It Is’. A killer chorus refrain brings the party to a close with cheering and shouting to fade.
It’s certainly a short, sharp shock to the system. 10 songs delivered in 30 minutes, job done!
Holding the flag high for independent artists, it’s another killer collection of songs from a man standing out from the shadow of his former band.
Treat yourself to an early Christmas present and hit that link below to pre-order. I know I will.
Buy Here
Author: Ben Hughes
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