Smokey Bastard "Back to the Drawing Room" Bomber Music UXB027
Release date: November 13th, 2015
Running time: 40:36, 10 tracks
Running time: 40:36, 10 tracks
Smokey Bastard and Roughneck Riot have some similarities. Firstly, both bands’ instrumentation is the same: bass, drums, electric guitar, accordion, banjo and mandolin. Secondly, both of them released straightforward Celtic-punk debut albums around 2009-2010 and both of them shifted away to new folk-punk territories on their second and third albums. Obviously, their sound and influences are different. But both bands followed a smarter and more interesting approach.
“Back to the Drawing Room” is Smokey Bastard’s third album. Four years have gone by from “Tales from the Wasteland”, their brilliant second album. And I must say that the wait has been too long.
Taking into account that The Dreadnoughts are “on hiatus”, the fans missing Vancouver’s finest band will appreciate several Smokey Bastard’s songs were The Dreadnoughts influence can be noticed. For instance, the first kick-ass tracks, “Archipelago” and “Rats”. This is not really new, since that “Polka/gypsy” flavour was also present on some tracks from their previous album.
The next number is titled “Baba Yaga”. The accordion first notes have a Russian feel, but soon the song gets an upbeat twist à la Manu Chao. Another album highlight.
The following two tracks “Faster than Light” and “Screens” share lively moments with toned down passages, electric guitar and the remarkable band’s backing vocals.
The second half of the album kicks off with Smokey Bastard’s a cappella rendition of “South Australia”. “Rotter”, the next number, gets closer to Sir Reg music, as Brit-Pop arrangements can be heard.
Track no. 8 “Alcobatical” is a personal fave, a The Dreadnoughts go pop-punk hit. And the level is really high till the end of the album: “Jester”, with its brass instruments, and “Can of Worms”, where the band’s new “progressive” approach shines.
“Back to the Drawing Room” is available on vinyl and digipack CD. Sleeve notes including the lyrics to the songs, line-up, guests, studio credits and amazing drawings.
Smokey Bastard keep on moving forward. Maybe some tracks are a little bit long, but the six-piece band from Reading have developed their own sound. They enjoy what they play and their fans become infected by their enthusiasm.
“Back to the Drawing Room” is Smokey Bastard’s third album. Four years have gone by from “Tales from the Wasteland”, their brilliant second album. And I must say that the wait has been too long.
Taking into account that The Dreadnoughts are “on hiatus”, the fans missing Vancouver’s finest band will appreciate several Smokey Bastard’s songs were The Dreadnoughts influence can be noticed. For instance, the first kick-ass tracks, “Archipelago” and “Rats”. This is not really new, since that “Polka/gypsy” flavour was also present on some tracks from their previous album.
The next number is titled “Baba Yaga”. The accordion first notes have a Russian feel, but soon the song gets an upbeat twist à la Manu Chao. Another album highlight.
The following two tracks “Faster than Light” and “Screens” share lively moments with toned down passages, electric guitar and the remarkable band’s backing vocals.
The second half of the album kicks off with Smokey Bastard’s a cappella rendition of “South Australia”. “Rotter”, the next number, gets closer to Sir Reg music, as Brit-Pop arrangements can be heard.
Track no. 8 “Alcobatical” is a personal fave, a The Dreadnoughts go pop-punk hit. And the level is really high till the end of the album: “Jester”, with its brass instruments, and “Can of Worms”, where the band’s new “progressive” approach shines.
“Back to the Drawing Room” is available on vinyl and digipack CD. Sleeve notes including the lyrics to the songs, line-up, guests, studio credits and amazing drawings.
Smokey Bastard keep on moving forward. Maybe some tracks are a little bit long, but the six-piece band from Reading have developed their own sound. They enjoy what they play and their fans become infected by their enthusiasm.
Tracklist:
01 - Archipelago 5:18
02 - Rats 3:49
03 - Baba Yaga 5:10
04 - Faster Than Light 4:32
05 - Screens 3:56
06 - South Australia 1:26
07 - Rotter 4:19
08 - Alcobatical 3:29
09 - Jester 4:06
10 - Can Of Worms 5:38
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Click to buy:
Bandcamp
Bomber Music Store
Review by Kinksmarkham
01 - Archipelago 5:18
02 - Rats 3:49
03 - Baba Yaga 5:10
04 - Faster Than Light 4:32
05 - Screens 3:56
06 - South Australia 1:26
07 - Rotter 4:19
08 - Alcobatical 3:29
09 - Jester 4:06
10 - Can Of Worms 5:38
Website
Click to buy:
Bandcamp
Bomber Music Store
Review by Kinksmarkham
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