Jodiechrist
09-11-2006, 11:04 AM
Ever since McLusky broke up in early 2005, I often find myself browsing through JB Hi-fi and sneaking a glimpse behind the ‘McLusky’ card just in case some new album has magically materialised. Strange as it sounds, this has actually worked out for me rather well now… twice. One day, peeping behind the card, I found the three CD pack ‘McLuskyism’, an excellent collection best described as three CD’s – one full of A Sides, one full of B’s, and the last filled with C’s, unreleased & live tracks. A must for any fan, you’d no doubt agree – plus there was a picture of a rather ferocious looking kitten on one of the inserts.
Having lucked out on that occasion, I continued to sneak-a-peek behind the now magical ‘McLusky’ card, in hope that some more music might just materialise there… and eventually, it did - in the form of Shooting At Unarmed Men’s very first album, ‘Soon there will be…’. It even had a little handwritten sticker on it proclaiming “This is the ex-members of McLuskys new project!!!”. For the first time in my life, I thought that someone at JB might actually know what they’re talking about. I literally leapt with glee, did my happy dance, and took my discovery to the counter for immediate purchase.
On the first listen, I found the gritty Welsh three piece to be a bit raw. The occasional out of beat smashing of a drum would make me cringe, and at many points you could almost hear Jon Chapple’s voice trying to guide all instruments into singular timing – sometimes to the point of breaking the tracks down slower and slower, seeking a point of unity from which a steady beat could be clawed back from. Yet, despite these technical faults, by the end of the first listen I already had the lyrics and bass line of the first few tracks circling about my head, and hit the repeat button.
The combination of the bassline and Chapple’s voice, punctuated by a roughly, but effectively played drumkit makes for a great combination. Throw the ever loud guitar over the top of that, and you have the perfect album for turning up loud as you can bear and yelling along to the lyrics. These are the sort of tracks that evenings of drunken rambling, singing and general mayhem are made of. After a few listens and a few beers, you’ll be leaning over your mates’ shoulder discussing how ‘motherfucking right the singer is’ and getting all philosophical… well, the fucked-up equivalent thereof - which is pretty impressive for lyrics like “They’re not as clever as we think they are” and “fire does not discriminate”.
The album as a whole has been rather well written and constructed, taking you on a short, yet effective journey from basic, catchy, yelling songs with oft repeated lyrics, and a simple yet effective melody that’ll keep you coming back for more. The first two tracks “Taking Care of Business” & “Four Eyed McClayvie” will give you a good idea of what you’re in for, before swinging into the melancholy “When Potent Means Don’t”, recovering to some more fast paced rock, and breaking it up with the sad, yet rallying “No One Can Waltz”, a track most notable for its battlefield style drumming, and crisp, clear, and striking lyrics from Chapple. Coming in at a touch under 30 minutes, it’s a short album, but one worth the while. The charisma and melody of this “Soon there will be…” has well and truly over arched the downfalls, and is now a regular feature on my playlist, even more so on bad days.
At the end of the day, this album is a must for any fans of McLusky. While it's certainly not the same band, nor even the same style of music, SAUM offers that same promise of wit and heavy hitting guitar mixed with catchy, sometimes almost sweet melody. For people unfamiliar with McLusky or the ever glorious Jon Chapple, SAUM will deliver you everything Babyshambles never did, and never will - good honest pub rock that's doesn't take itself too seriously. SAUM need to get their shit together if they want to emerge from the shadows of McLusky, but if the talent of the band members, and the song writing displayed on ‘Soon there will be…’ is anything to go by, they’re well on their way. I look forward to seeing where their second album release leads them.
Having lucked out on that occasion, I continued to sneak-a-peek behind the now magical ‘McLusky’ card, in hope that some more music might just materialise there… and eventually, it did - in the form of Shooting At Unarmed Men’s very first album, ‘Soon there will be…’. It even had a little handwritten sticker on it proclaiming “This is the ex-members of McLuskys new project!!!”. For the first time in my life, I thought that someone at JB might actually know what they’re talking about. I literally leapt with glee, did my happy dance, and took my discovery to the counter for immediate purchase.
On the first listen, I found the gritty Welsh three piece to be a bit raw. The occasional out of beat smashing of a drum would make me cringe, and at many points you could almost hear Jon Chapple’s voice trying to guide all instruments into singular timing – sometimes to the point of breaking the tracks down slower and slower, seeking a point of unity from which a steady beat could be clawed back from. Yet, despite these technical faults, by the end of the first listen I already had the lyrics and bass line of the first few tracks circling about my head, and hit the repeat button.
The combination of the bassline and Chapple’s voice, punctuated by a roughly, but effectively played drumkit makes for a great combination. Throw the ever loud guitar over the top of that, and you have the perfect album for turning up loud as you can bear and yelling along to the lyrics. These are the sort of tracks that evenings of drunken rambling, singing and general mayhem are made of. After a few listens and a few beers, you’ll be leaning over your mates’ shoulder discussing how ‘motherfucking right the singer is’ and getting all philosophical… well, the fucked-up equivalent thereof - which is pretty impressive for lyrics like “They’re not as clever as we think they are” and “fire does not discriminate”.
The album as a whole has been rather well written and constructed, taking you on a short, yet effective journey from basic, catchy, yelling songs with oft repeated lyrics, and a simple yet effective melody that’ll keep you coming back for more. The first two tracks “Taking Care of Business” & “Four Eyed McClayvie” will give you a good idea of what you’re in for, before swinging into the melancholy “When Potent Means Don’t”, recovering to some more fast paced rock, and breaking it up with the sad, yet rallying “No One Can Waltz”, a track most notable for its battlefield style drumming, and crisp, clear, and striking lyrics from Chapple. Coming in at a touch under 30 minutes, it’s a short album, but one worth the while. The charisma and melody of this “Soon there will be…” has well and truly over arched the downfalls, and is now a regular feature on my playlist, even more so on bad days.
At the end of the day, this album is a must for any fans of McLusky. While it's certainly not the same band, nor even the same style of music, SAUM offers that same promise of wit and heavy hitting guitar mixed with catchy, sometimes almost sweet melody. For people unfamiliar with McLusky or the ever glorious Jon Chapple, SAUM will deliver you everything Babyshambles never did, and never will - good honest pub rock that's doesn't take itself too seriously. SAUM need to get their shit together if they want to emerge from the shadows of McLusky, but if the talent of the band members, and the song writing displayed on ‘Soon there will be…’ is anything to go by, they’re well on their way. I look forward to seeing where their second album release leads them.