“Don’t call it a comeback/I been here for years”, the press release proclaims, quoting LL Cool J’s classic ‘Mama Said Knock You Out’. Well, that may indeed be true. After nine years, Skunk Anansie are finally back on our stereos with their fourth album ‘Wonderlustre’. Following the release of their last album, 1999’s ‘Post Orgasmic Chill’, the London-based group decided to take a break, which turned out to be a lengthy one, and the four members went their separate ways to work on some other projects. Among these was vocalist Skin’s brief career as a solo artist, which saw the release of two albums.
The band’s previous albums, including their debut ‘Paranoid and Sunburnt’ and its follow-up ‘Stoosh’, were crammed full of politically-charged heavy rock anthems, featuring Skin’s unmistakable blend of fiery vocals and almost soothing singing. “But where has all the aggression gone?”, you may ask yourself as new album opener ‘God Loves Only You’ gets off to a surprisingly gentle start. Well, you may be right to raise that question. On ‘Wonderlustre’, Skunk Anansie have traded in the anger and the heavy metal riffs for a more accessible and melodic tone. So don’t go expecting another ‘Yes It’s Fucking Political’ or another ‘Little Baby Swastikkka’.
However, you may be pleased to hear that what they haven’t done is lost any of their former passion. True, the energy may be toned down but the intensity is still as strong as it was ten years ago. The melodious hard-rock of the opener with Skin’s relaxed and tender vocals soon makes way for the other side of her Jekyll and Hyde musical persona on ‘My Ugly Boy’. The track, which is the first single to be taken from the album, is an infectious and rhythmical rock song that will almost certainly become a rock club favourite in the coming months.
This may not be the same Skunk Anansie that you remember from a decade ago, but then again, this isn’t the same music industry that existed back then. What the four-piece have managed to achieve is to skilfully adapt their sound to suit the current time as their style has matured. As experienced musicians, no one could really have expected them to make another ‘Paranoid and Sunburnt’ after fifteen years. On the other hand, however, they weren’t going to start writing a straight indie album either. ‘Wonderlustre’ may include the odd track that could be described as a pop ballad and your attitude towards that choice is up to you. But there are certainly enough moshpit-friendly songs here to keep the old fans happy as well. Just don’t call it a comeback.
Stereoboard Rating: 7/10
‘Wonderlustre’ is out now.
Skunk Anansie will tour the UK in November at the following venues:
Manchester Academy Saturday, 13 Nov 2010
O2 Academy Newcastle Sunday, 14 Nov 2010
O2 Academy Glasgow Monday, 15 Nov 2010
Nottingham Rock City Wednesday, 17 Nov 2010
O2 Academy Sheffield Thursday, 18 Nov 2010
O2 Academy Leeds Friday, 19 Nov 2010
O2 Academy Bournemouth Sunday, 21 Nov 2010
O2 Academy Bristol Monday, 22 Nov 2010
O2 Academy Birmingham Tuesday, 23 Nov 2010
Norwich U.E.A. Thursday, 25 Nov 2010
O2 Academy Brixton Friday, 26 Nov 2010
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The band’s previous albums, including their debut ‘Paranoid and Sunburnt’ and its follow-up ‘Stoosh’, were crammed full of politically-charged heavy rock anthems, featuring Skin’s unmistakable blend of fiery vocals and almost soothing singing. “But where has all the aggression gone?”, you may ask yourself as new album opener ‘God Loves Only You’ gets off to a surprisingly gentle start. Well, you may be right to raise that question. On ‘Wonderlustre’, Skunk Anansie have traded in the anger and the heavy metal riffs for a more accessible and melodic tone. So don’t go expecting another ‘Yes It’s Fucking Political’ or another ‘Little Baby Swastikkka’. 
