megalist
4
Pretty cool mix of punk and more classic rock sensibilities. Liked some of the synth work.
Not bad but not amazing, by any means. I wouldn't have necessarily even have called this a punk album if I hadn't looked up a bit of context on the album.
From the first touch of the key I was hooked. Reminds me of some of the stuff I heard when I wrangled up all the punk and hardcore I could via Kazaa, specifically the (International) Noise Conspiracy, the Buzzcocks, and Iggy. I *really* love the diversity and sequencing on this album. “Princess of the Streets” is a perfect change-of-pace track after an energetic opening trio, almost treading into Judas Priest-y heavy blues. Similarly, “Peaches” works that streetwise angle sneering and strutting while tracks like “Goodbye Toulouse“ and “Choosy Susie” charge swifter and harder. It’s focused and fearless, keyboard and guitar solos are often evocative, elevating what’s often a very “proto” kind of feel to something that’s both primitive and futuristic. It’s quirky, too, at times approaching a familiar new wave sound from a different angle. Simply put, this shit is the biz, kinda surprised I haven’t stumbled upon this earlier. 4
The Stranglers have been on my radar for a minute, but the only album I’ve ever listened to from them is their newest. This was good! I like the mix of classic punk with some new wave tendencies, and it has strong melodies. I do think that I would have rated it higher if I heard this when I was getting into punk stuff, but hey, I’m a yank. The Stranglers had no presence here. But this is probably the equivalent of Marquee Moon over in the UK. B