| Propagandhi
were always that band who was around when I was getting
into the whole punk thing, but for some reason they were
never a band I gave much of my time to, probably because
there was so many fast punk bands around at the time,
I just never went there beyond a few compilation tracks.
Now that this style is still kicking, but just not as
much as it was back in the 90's, Propagandhi stand out,
and i've finally given them the time of day that I probably
should have done ten years ago. Lyrically, it's everything
you've come to expect from them, half of it goes straight
over my head, but the music shines, and i'd rather just
enjoy that than try wrecking my brain analyzing every
word they sing. Not shy to speak their mind, you might
agree with what they cover, you might not, but don't let
that put you off, because underneath it all is an album
of music we've been crying out to hear in recent times. |
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Night Letters kicks off with a crunchy guitar riff
that really does set the scene of what's to come, any fears of sub
par quality can be laid to rest before you even get half way through
the song, but the best is yet to come, what a great ending to the
track.
Supporting Caste, title track time, and after a
brief intro, all guitars are back to 'wailing', this is some fast
shit, melodic as all fuck at the same time, before you know it we
slip back into slower time before building back up for rockin' close.
Yup, another cracker.
Tertium Non Datur, a nightmare to try and keep
up with lyrically. thankfully the music is killer and you don't
have to get right into the nuts 'n bolts of the song to enjoy it.
Strangely for me, i usually have to really get into the lyrical
side before I enjoy a song, but I think that with these guys, it
often goes straight through my simple little brain what they are
singing about, lucky they have killer music, coz this one lost me.
Dear Coach's Corner - I think this one will be
a favourite for many, if ever was there a song to be placed underneath
the definition of melodic punk rock, this one should be the one.
It's good to hear this kind of track again, we were flooded with
them a decade ago.
This Is Your Life, shot and sweet, clocking in
at just over a minute, with not a second wasted.
Human(e) Meat (The Flensing of Sandor Katz) has
an intro you won't forget anytime soon, leading to an in your face
track that really builds up to a killer ending, the energy on this
album just keeps lifting, killer solo too!
Potemkin City Limits is another one of those tracks
you could define melodic punk rock with. One of my favourite tracks
on offer, there is just so much going on that really keeps you interested,
and while the pace has been flat out on pretty much every track
so far, there is no sign of it becoming samey, each track has it's
own character, this one, well it feels like about 3 songs in one,
it's great, you don't know where it's going to turn next.
The Funeral Procession - ahh guitars, how sweet
they can sound when in the right hands, this one is a flat out track,
where the shred is what you'll remember most, not the best on offer
but far from filler, a nice slow ambient ending too, gives your
head a break to catch up for a few seconds.
Without Love - It's getting to the point now where
it's hard to not just keep repeating myself, the solid tracks just
keep coming, and this one shows that not everything they do has
to be a hundred miles an hour and that they can still impress with
just the basics.
Incalculable Effects - Just when you thought the
album was settling down a little, this track will kick you in the
balls, slam you against the wall and hit you for six. Angry men
indeed, one for those who like the thrashier element of this band.
The Banger's Embrace - Another of my favourite
tracks on the album, full of hooks this one, and i'll latch onto
the bait every time.
Last Will and Testament - How do you close an album
like this, a range of sounds have been visited, a range of topics
covered, anger unleashed, opinions thrown about in all angles, now,
for the most part, things are wound up with a cool instrumental
piece, that picks up pace throughout before the speed picks up and
the lyrics kick in for the final couple of minutes, then it's over,
and you are ready to start over again.
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