UK SUBS – XXIV
Captain Oi!
I’ve been a fan of the Subs for a long time. Unfortunately
I’m not as familiar with their more recent material as I’d like to be. This
came out in 2013, but I’ve only just gotten a copy.
The Subs don’t disappoint; a cracking tone is set with the
zippy Implosion 77. Coalition Government Blues is next,
influenced by Charlie’s blues background, complete with harmonica, and slows
thing up a bit; it perhaps could have been slotted in later to so as not to
interrupt the momentum. Things are back on track though with Speed. Rabid, along with several other
tracks features distorted vocals. Monkeys
takes on a slightly more melodic edge, and benefits from background vox in the
chorus.
The second side opens with the more introspective and
measured pace of Stare at the sun
which more or less sets the tone for side two. Workers revolution also gets a boost from the backing vocal on the
chorus. Wreckin’ ball, no doubt
referencing council knocking down old buildings to pave the way for development,
again features Charlie’s harmonica. Detox
is for quitters, I’ll remember that one next hangover. XXIV Closes with Momento Mori (remember your mortality)
which livens things up again.
Package wise this is pretty boring. The Russian? themed green and red affair with a Madonna holding something that
I can’t quite discern? Sorry, but it’s a bit........... pedestrian. The back
cover is pretty feckin' average as well. There’s
no info on the band this time around; the Subs feature a revolving line up.
Songs are credited to various members of the current line up though (Charlie
Harper, long term in/out bassist Alvin Gibbs, guitarist Jet, drummer Jamie),
and long term in/out guitarist Nicky Garrat appears to have no input into this
one. There’s no insert/lyric sheet,
which is a bit stingy I reckon. Would have been good to get some background
info/lyrics to the songs. Coloured vinyl/and CD packages are available though
(still no lyric sheets with the vinyl issues) but this is the standard issue
black vinyl. Fortunately the vinyl generates
a good sound with plenty of clout. The production is good; everything is pretty
crisp and smooth.
This is a solid offering from the Subs on their 24th
release. Whilst not start to finish 4 to the floor punk, it’s all pretty good,
and I was pretty keen to give it another spin, which is always a good sign. XXIV could
easily slot quite comfortably alongside various chapters of the Subs back
catalogue. For me there’s hints of Endangered
Species with its “faster” side one and “slower” side two.
Unfortunately the Subs never made it for their intended
“Farewell” tour of Australia last year. There’s still hope though, right?
