Is THIS The Coolest Rock Record On The Planet So Far in 2006?

A few weeks ago I received a single from Archie Bronson Outfit. It was called Dart For My Sweetheart and was immediately selected for our new Shakenstir Radio play-list which we are in the process of studio-recording. It’s a stupendous punk rock/blues single that craps on every single I’ve heard this year (including Arctic Monkeys…). This week I received the new album, and guess what? It’s fucking amazing…

Now I know it’s fatal to say this, but I doubt whether you’ll hear a more vibrant or original slice of punk rock in 2006. Did I say punk rock? Well, add in a generous helping of hardcore, and a distinctly blues underbelly and you have one very special album. Production is superb and you’ll hear what I mean when the opening track Cherry Lips makes its incendiary entrance. Hear that guitar? Hear that bass? Bit special heh… Add to this a monster melody, great vocal and you have another bonking single. And that’s just the beginning my friends. Kink fairly rattles along with the pleading vocal chased by galloping guitars and a drum rhythm, that’s akin to a mate pushing you along during your regular marathon training sessions (or is it the 60 metre dash…). Dart For My Sweetheart thunders forth threateningly with some fabulous bass guitar riffs, and an ocean deep drum vibe. Fuck, it’s good! But just to lighten things a tad, backing vocals scream out – yes the lads have humour in their deadly armoury.

Now better take a quick breather ‘cos the next track, Got To Get (Your Eyes) will have you gasping for air, I kid you not! This is ‘shock and awe’ - rock style. Things quieten with Dead Funny although that deathly drum rhythm is never far away. Lyrically it’s a hoot: “Don’t worry, just get your head down…. I am a lone horse rider, I’m gonna ride on you…” And if your speakers are still intact (oh yes, you will have turned them out loud by now, and the cops have been called…) the jagged vibe of Modern Lovers awaits you. Shards of razor-sharp sounds will bombard you and you will try to escape, but there’s no hope, no escape – you are sucked and fucked!

Cuckoo is a mellow spell of respite, and it’s as beautiful as they come. It’s a bit like a wheel which just keeps turning, while you feet try to keep up with its mid-pace. It’s bluesy rock heaven with reverberating guitars and a vocal tailored for the job. A thrilling guitar riff opens another blues tinged slammer in Jab Jab, and those drums are back with a friggin’ vengeance. This song is like a direct line express as it crashes through one station after another without stopping, aiming for its final destination.

Rituals is a doom-laden, slow-opening musical lament that eventually opens out into an angry instrumental trash that takes you by complete surprise, and is totally magnificent. The vocalist punctuating the instrumental abuse with screams, as if in the throws of drowning, is unforgettable. The final track is a real shock to the system after being overdosed on a menu largely dominated by gunpowder plot songs. Harp For My Sweetheart is a simple, gentle, haunting acoustic song of breathtaking beauty.

Simply put, this is a majestic rock record that puts those highly hyped and oversold Arctic Monkeys almost to shame. Respect also to Jacquire King for a superlative production job that should ensure that he gets the award – if one exists. Label mates they may be, but if you liked ‘that’ record, this one will blow you away to another (much cooler) planet… ESSENTIAL.

5/5