The Peacocks – Don’t AskStraight out of Switzerland The Peacocks have been playing double bass driven punk rock since 1990. That is long before Australia’s band ‘The Living End’, had even formed. The comparisons with that band are justified though, rockabilly influenced punk trio with hard hitting, excellently observed and aware lyrics that have transcended genres.
Their new recording ‘Don’t Ask’ is a 14 track stomper of an album that is all that we have come to expect from The Peacocks – Explosive, rockabilly influenced, stand-up bass driven punk rock, addictive and as catchy as hell.
It deserves to be played LOUD!
We took a listen to the perfectly structured songs on the album (Release date: 05 Oct) and here’s what we thought:
‘What I want’ has a thundering, galloping beat that will remind you of a jalopy careering down a flinty ridge. Sneering vocals have a perfumed arrogance about them. Cymbals shatter the dusty guitar lines, and then the arrangement is notched up a gear – before it cartwheels off the edge of a ferociously precipitous cliff face. My my !
‘Need A Break’ has a nasally gooey guitar line that gurgles and leaks out before the crystal clear voice breaks cover and goes for it. A rumbling rock ‘n’ roll beat keeps things brisk and business-like.
‘All I’ve Got Is What You See’ sounds like The Clash. A punkish prickly vibe and bristling percussion- with drumming and bass as stiff as loo brushes. Solid chops of guitar and a mere hint of a back beat that adds a fruity Sixties flavour.
‘Don’t Pretend to Care When You Don’t Care’. The peat smoked vocals on this track sounds like Shane MacGowan – in fact this whole piece has an admirable Celtic punk/Folk punk sponginess to it. Claggy drums thump whilst sour whiskey soaked guitars lurk about looking for trouble.
‘Up and Down’ starts like a Johnny Cash song. A tenuous guitar leads us a-dance, then a ribald bass riff rubs you up the wrong way. Cheeky vocals are chanted out in a dingy bar room setting. A sing along chorus makes you feel all beery and glad.
‘How Did They Do That?’ Glistening guitars walk up and down a la ‘Shadows’. Doing the walk. And you’ll do the walk with them. Chopping and incisive guitars perfectly suit the switchblade sharp and dangerously cutting voice. This is a scoffing disdainful protest song. Sung from the angry gut.
‘With You’ seems to follow on naturally from ‘How Did They Do That? ‘ Sending up the Eurythmics is fair. But the Jam-like chorus is a step too close to thievery. This shaggily shambolic shakedown is one of the album’s weaker moments.
‘Nothing Left to Sing’ is a far stronger piece. A jaded ballroom twister. A howler and a spin-a-rounder. You can smell the sawdust as the guitars fizz and bubble. And the greasy vocals stir up and foment disorder on the dance floor, long before the bruisers have arrived. Watch out. Or you’ll end up being dragged in.
‘Shouldn’t Bring Up What I Can’t Put Down’. Treating us to all of the tricks in the punk book of musical wizardry, this final track sings and shines. Glorious guitars fizz and burn as the unselfish riffs pack everything they can into such a small space. Concentrated joy. In a rusty can.
– © Neil_Mach September 2012 –
Link:
http://www.facebook.com/thepeacocksofficial
