r
gg
Oct 2017 - p.15
Verdict:
Recommended for fans of Lit,
Weezer, Dead Kennedys and NOFX. From the
opening guitar riff of
Little Angel
to the angst of
solitary line closer
Ave Some Of That
, you can’t
resist being hooked and mesmerised by this
potent debut album by alternative punk-pop-rock
Birmingham band
Devils
.
Runk Pock
is
commercial with a twist. Vocally the lyrics are
sung with such a melodic, honest charm, that it
grabs you from the outset - but they’re too good.
So you wonder if it’s actually satire when you
take in the excellent lyrical content.
Feedback
for example, is a touching, ultra positive
admiration song which I believe is about paying
credit where it’s due, whereas the lyrics to
Broken Banjo
are absolutely hilarious without
the frontman breaking character. It’s sung in the
same touching manner. Hearing
Turning Green
I became convinced that
Devils
are actually
singer songwriter
The Humdrum Express
from
a parallel universe - fantastic work. This is a fun,
well written album that makes you swing, feel
young, smile, and then pulls a heart string when
you don’t expect it. Highlights are the emotional
atmospheric indie rock number
Can’t Let You
Go Now
and the relaxed, reflective but
adamantly sincere
Scatterbrain
.
Highly recommended.
Album:
Runk Pock
www
facebook com/devilspunkrock
Verdict:
Fifteen years and this is my first listen
to the
Rhythm Thieves
who are an interesting
West Midlands folk rock band who, I’m told, have
gained audiences throughout England and
Wales. ‘Twisted Tales...’ is a 9 track album with
a splendid mix of arguably 1970s dance, funk,
prog rock and folk influences - but let’s talk
tunes. Highlights for me are ‘Evil Everywhere’
which begins like a mid-eighties Dirty Harry cop
movie and then pops with its ZZ TOPesque
groove. The sinister and beautiful singing on the
folk-friendly track ‘It Rained Again’ creates a
mood suitable for any Game Of Thrones
episode. There’s a wide range of traditional
sounds from the past but in this day and age of
chart bullshit it sounds more like an intelligent
futuristic cry for art. I felt some areas could have
sounded stronger but their overall release is
filled with incredible musicianship, check out
'Killer' and ‘Special Days’. I’m looking for hit
songs I guess and they sure have them here.
‘Somewhere Down The Road’ which although
stands out from the majority of their blend of
tunes I suggest you listen to first so you can
understand just how talented songwriters they
are because this is such a deep ,meaningful,
well written song. Meaningful is the word to
describe the entire album; it’s stuck in it’s ways
and thank god, because it sounds untarnished
by modern claptrap. Excellent work.
DEVILS
album
month
of
the
favourite
month
of
the
RHYTHM THIEVES
Album:
Twisted Tales
No Tongue Should Tell
www
facebook com/rhythmthieves
