The Gig Monkey Review
A welcome return for one of my breakthrough of the year picks, and with a set of recordings that show they have lost none of the energy that was evidenced on their last release. EP opener Burden of Youth is a muscular statement of intent and is part of a vicious introductory one-two jab with single New Leaf. From minute one it is clear this is a band who still mean business and still have something to say. The more considered songs that follow (Never Saved My Soul and Poison Air) still pack a hefty musical punch to go with their lyrical weight.
This grown-up skater punk is littered with seriously chunky riffs, soaring solos and growled vocals but is underpinned with a heart and soul that may surprise. There are no bubblegum, throwaway tunes here, these are songs of substance and intelligence, personal stories of heartbreak, coping with what life throws at you and moving on. This is refreshingly honest, straightforward, no frills, blue collar rock ‘n’ roll; four stunning everyman torch anthems built round killer tunes that should be required listening on all school of hard knocks syllabuses.