Reviews
The Real McKenzies
Rats in the Burlap
Fat Wreck Chords
If you want to get Celtic Punk, there are two things
you need. One, some great punk rock songs and two, a
strong liver. While we aren’t in a position to comment
on the state of The Real Mckenzies livers, ‘Rats in the
Burlup’ certainly suggests they’ve got the songs down
to a tee.
Opening with the bagpipe heavy ‘Who Saw the 42nd’,
it doesn’t take long for you to figure out where you
are with this album. Fans of the Dropkick Murphys
and Flogging Molly should pay attention, because
this is one for you. The fun time continues on ‘Up on
a Motorbike’ right through to the bizarre ‘Bootsy the
Haggis-Eating Cake’. This is music meant to be sung
along to and drunk along with and it ticks all those
boxes.
If you were being picky you could point at the fact
there is nothing here we haven’t heard before and
you would probably be right. However, it is hard to
care that much. As you bounce along to ‘Lilacs in the
Alleyway’ you would have to be in a really bad mood to
stop and complain that this wasn’t particularly original.
You’d just be ruining the party.
As ‘Dead or Alive’ sees you out, enticing you to raise
your glass to the air and scream along at the top of
your lungs, it is clear that The Real Mckenzies have
achieved exactly what they wanted to. They’ve written
fourteen tracks of punk rock which is just dying for
you to have a good time with it and unless you’ve got
a heart of stone, there is a pretty good chance that’s
exactly what you’ll do.
Stuart Iversen
The Dirty Youth
Gold Dust
Transcend Music (11th May 2015)
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, in this day and
age many different sub genres of music are appearing
and staking claim. Inspiration from all styles of music
and generations are turning talent into unstoppable
production machines. Now everyone has their most
beloved genre, a style that hits home every time
but the big music debate is always a strong and
enthusiastic conversation for many. So, who do you
think would win a fight between; Electronica, punk
rock and Katy Perry? I’ll tell you who. The Dirty Youth.
With some incredibly bouncy synth, head bopping
riffs and jaw dropping vocals, The Dirty Youth’s new
album ‘Gold Dust’ should be the new soundtrack to
all you mosh/dance/party freaks out there. Monday
11th of May will see ‘Gold Dust’ making its way into
your airwaves via Transcend Music. Made up from
Danni Monroe (vocals), Matt Bond (Guiatar/Keys),
Luke Padfield (Guitar), Leon Watkins (Bass) and
Freddie Green (Drums) these energetic and extremely
engaging Welsh rockers have already enjoyed success
touring the UK and Europe with the likes of Korn, The
Rasmus , Heavens Basement and Reckless Love.
Their debut album ‘Red Light Fix’ racked up extensive
praise from the media, and was just the start of what
is going to be an exciting time in music. Just a few
more accolades include multiple Download festival
appearances, seven million You Tube views and
the incredible honour of playing alongside Bruce
Springsteen and Paul McCartney at Hyde Park! - Jaw
dropping
From start to end The Dirty Youth bring an aggressive
but rhythmic sound opening with ‘I’m not listening to
you’. Next up on the album is ‘Alive’ a track that makes
my hairs stand to attention as I imagine hearing it as
the backing music to a high budget Sci-Fi movie with
explosions, A.I, Space suits, heartbreak and a not so
happy but very powerful ending. Their current single
‘The One’ showcases the quality and flexibility they
bring to the table, executing with near perfection as it
gains widespread airplay. ‘Bedroom Karate’ booms with
confidence that I can see many fans choosing as their
anthem.
Be sure to catch The Dirty Youth this May 2015 as the
main support to INME across the UK!
Adam Hemmings
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