Forty years of The Godfathers is certainly something to celebrate, so what better than founder Peter Coyne picking songs from their last three albums and releasing them in one fine compilation. 2013 saw ‘Jukebox Fury’ arrive some eighteen years after its predecessor from the studio. It was a mere four years between that and ‘A Big Bad Beautiful Noise’ and then five between that and ‘Alpha Beta Gamma Delta’. To be fair, Coyne had recruited a fine band to take on these songs throughout the trilogy, and the revolving door saw some of the UK’s finest musicians plug in and crank out songs such as ‘I Can’t Sleep Tonight’, ‘I Hate The 21st Century and ‘Primitive Man’. The songs stand up to the band’s seminal ‘Birth School Work Death’ album that, in fairness, is the go-to LP of The Godfathers (which still stands up in 2025, no doubt about that).

If I had to pick a favourite from the three albums, I’d have to go for the rawness of ‘A Big Bad Beautiful Noise’ and the standout tracks such as ‘You Don’t Love Me’ dripping with a sweet and sour sound of the raw guitars and the lush backing vocals behind Coynes belligerant vocal style sitting proudly on top of a terrific song. Follow that up with the pulsating ‘Till My Heart Stops Beating’ being driven by the throbbing bassline it’s a throwback but with a really solid production.

To be fair, all three are well represented, and whilst there are subtle differences in the playing the songs stand tall, and if you’ve not been up to speed with The Godfathers, then this is perfect before you dive in on all three. I’m told this is the first retrospective before a live compilation later this year, before next year’s new studio album, so exciting times ahead for the Godfathers and releases I’ll look forward to hearing. Be kind to yourself and catch up with The Godfathers, it’s loud Rock n Roll as it should be played – With attitude and a bucketful of great tunes. Buy It!

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Author: Dom Daley