Title: Commoners, Peers, Drunks and Thieves
Format Reviewed: MP3
Format Released: 24th November 2014
Reviewed By: Millie Manders
If you are a fan of The Punk Archive you have probably heard us talk a lot about this band. We first heard about them back in April when they played at Dublin Castle in Camden and I got to have a chat with Pat and Iain before watching a blinding set. They then played our stage at this year's Camden Rocks Festival.
Since then, we've followed their movements across Europe playing festivals, accumulating fans and wowing us with their talents and with their humility. Now, we are honoured to be reviewing their forthcoming album Commoners, Peers, Drunks and Thieves.
Those of you who have read my previous reviews will know I can be honest to a fault, especially where ska, punk and variations of the two come into play and even though I have a massive musical crush on these boys, I would not sway from that path…
…Bloody good job this album is amazing then isn't it?
From the first strum to the last key stroke The Talks have produced something really special. The moment I met these lads and saw them on stage I knew I'd found a new favourite band. This album is full of life and vigour. It infects your blood. It makes every cell in your body want to jive: whether you know how to or not. It's the sort of roots to rock music that gets hold of that deepest darkest prehistoric part of your brain that relates rhythm to heartbeat and euphoria.
If that doesn't start to make you curious let me break it down.
The Talks have taken two-tone ska to another level. They have kept traditional beats, synth sounds and brass, giving you that foot stomping, arm swinging skank that is pure sunshine, and then they've levelled up. Dirty guitars punching through under clean vocals and over hip-hop beats bring a brilliant new twist to an old sound on Fire. It's a three fold cross genre without breaking from the ultimate off beat that keeps it roots.
Sam featuring Dr Ring Ding starts off with the most beautiful brass ever. Its positively orchestral quality harmonies and melancholy feel is an exquisite intro into a slow Skatelites-esque track about wasted time and regrets. Stunning, as is the brass solo centre track: it's the sort of thing that makes emotion swell in your chest unexpectedly.
Radio is the second single to be released from Commoners, Peers, Drunks and Thieves and it's such a party track. Released over the summer it's a perfect accompaniment to a barbecue with friends, beer and sunshine. Having received huge reviews from Big Cheese magazine amongst others, this track has only solidified the love they are getting from every angle.
One of my favourite tracks on this record is All In A Day. It's fun, bouncy and is close to being a pop track. There is such sweetness in the melodies and simple sing-a-long lyrics, but without moving into cheese.
If ska could be cute, this is where the cute would get it's name. Or adorable. I'd hazard an adorable here… There is one tiny discordant section that throws me off my bluebird perch for a second to emphasise the lyrics in the song: talking about loosing your way but holding on, and then it's back to that lush shoulder bounce.
I could probably talk about every track in this album and I wouldn't have a negative thing to say. The Talks have managed to bottle the essence of their live energy and also their happy-go-lucky, chilled out personalities and translate that into eleven perfectly formed tracks for your pleasure.
The album's out on 24th November but you can already get your hands on singles Radio and Don’t Look Behind You and you can find them in all the usual places like Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
The Talks are on tour now, and I highly recommend you getting your bums to the show nearest to you. They are only going to get bigger…
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