Bournemouth Punk quartet The Crash Landings have at long last unleashed their eagerly awaited LP “All Guts No Glory” upon us, and we at RR towers have the dubious honour of reviewing it! Ok here goes. All Guts No Glory unashamedly previews material from the bands live repertoire over the past 3 years and these 10 cuts really do show what this band are all about. The LP opens like most great Punk albums with a storming 1st song. The anthemic “Prozac Empire” opens proceedings with power and a scratchy guitar riff-it’s gutsy and glorious in equal measure. Si (vox) bellows the chorus out as if he were singing it live. This will be a live fave for many a year to come. The “woah, woah, woah, woah’s” toward the end only go to reinforce the power before the abrupt end.
“Billy’s Got Tourettes” follows next and immediately I’m reminded of Jimmy Pursey in his late 70’s Sham 69 pomp. In fact the cover art has more than a passing resemblance to their “That’s Life” LP, although I’m sure it’s purely coincidental. Again it’s anthemic while displaying the bands obvious humour. The chugging guitars and strong hitting in the background match the honest yet humorous vocal. A bit of cussing doesn’t go amiss either-another Punk staple, but I have always wondered if the song was written from an associate/friend perspective or just pure fiction. Either way, it’s a song one can’t help singing along to. “Overdose” comes next-cue substance abuse song! Clever chord changes and another chugging beat. The lyrics again seem far too honest and heartfelt to be a work of a bright imagination. The whole song has an early SLF feel to this reviewer but others will find influences elsewhere. It’s another speed-fuelled (sic) cut on this collection that doesn’t disappoint.
“Fight Back” begins mellower but slowly builds to a furious pace. The guitars are dare I say it Grungey at first, before returning to the speedball pace we have now become accustomed to. Neil’s drums are ferocious while Seb’s bass is smouldering in the background. The shimmering bridge is a nice touch before the power returns. Anthemic again (a constant theme) and a loud and audible vocal over some swirling chords. Despite the songs pace there are some intricate touches in places, but one never loses sight of the songs power. The vocal delivery is “in yer face” and direct; reminding me of Charlie (Harper), while the fadeout on the ending is another clever touch.
Ah yes, “Shove It” – a theme many a listener will resonate with. Who hasn’t at some point had that burning desire to utter the words in the chorus to their boss, “Take Yer Job and Shove It”?! It’s angry, it’s direct and is delivered with a spiky, aggressive vocal-I guess that’s the point. Once again I’m assuming the title came from personal experience? More “woah’s” before that immortal tag line that will be sung with equal gusto back to the band in the live arena. Some neat chord changes and largely symbol-led drumming, it slows somewhat in the middle before the big finish.
Ok folks, let’s not disguise the facts here. We all know what the working title “Getting My Results” alludes to. It begins speedily with a warbly vocal that increases to a harshness and gravelly delivery. Lyrically honest and sung with the fervour of a patient in the waiting room, it pulls no punches. Clicky chords over more symbol-led power drumming, it speeds along to another abrupt conclusion. “Falling Apart” has some shimmering guitars while Si’s vocals remain gravelly and strained. Another slab of personal strife and some intricate guitar notes to boot. Slower and more melodic with its bass not overbearing in the background I’m reminded (ever so slightly) of Strummer in the vocal. Not the best song on here but equally not out of place.
“Hatemail” has a slight Ska tinge which breaks things up a little. A song about the Red Tops and delivered with Si’s now customary spite and anger. Anthemic, angry and direct in its delivery the guitars however, are clangey and chimey in equal measure. The bridge is noodly over bigger hitting and it’s another sharp finish. “And Finally” could so easily have been the album closer-a brilliant piece of lyricism, sung almost as if reading the news headlines. I’m reminded of early Stranglers here as I listen to the vocal, it has Hugh Cornwell all over it. More noodling abounds; preceeding the latter part of the song that has an extended fadeout, but it just so works.
“The Wall” has more than a passing resemblance to the Clash’s “I Fought The Law” in the intro and the breaks in the vocal. A chiming guitar part in the bridge is not out of place while the vocals are the most clear and audible on here.
I make no apology for citing some of Punk’s leading lights as reference points, the band appear to have “borrowed” from their peers and crafted something of their own. As debut’s go this is pretty much up there with the best. With the “unofficial” 40th Anniversary of Punk truly upon us many bands seem to be pulling their finger out and producing their best work. The Crash Landings are no exception and I feel there is more to come from them. After 3 years hard gigging and some decent supports to well-known names, they have honed their craft and are a force to be reckoned with. Only time will tell but there’s “Guts and Glory” in equal measure within these 10 songs, and I for one will be hoping for more of the same.
If you like you’re Punk from the “1st and 2nd Wave” then The Crash Landings are a good starting point. Yes they have influences aplenty, but what band doesn’t these days? If the organisers of Rebellion 2017 wanna take a punt on some good ole “South Coast Punk” then they need look no further-this might just be The Crash Landings year.
Track listing
Prozac Empire
Billy’s Got Tourettes
Overdose
Fight Back
Shove It
Getting My Results
Falling Apart
Hatemail
And Finally
The Wall
Links
http://www.thecrashlandings.com
https://www.facebook.com/TheCrashLandings
Review by Ross A. Ferrone.
Photos by David Chinery.
Thanks for your support RR!