Some people will hear this album and zone out. They will argue that there is no point in Blacklisters’ deranged psycho hardcore noise. They will say that for all the pun-filled song titles and undeniable attitude, “BLKLSTRS” brings nothing new to the table and is just
another in a long series of records that makes a racket but fails to bring any songwriting clout to the tale. They are talking a load of crap.
Sure, Blacklisters are far from the most original band releasing their debut album this year and they definitely place the power of the decibel over the power of the hook, but that is a reason to celebrate them rather than deride them. This Leeds quartet have been making waves with their feral live performances over the last twelve months or so and it only takes a few listens to this debut album to work out why if you have not seen them yourself.
The opening pummel of the delightfully named (and totally un-Kasabian like) “Clubfoot by Kasabian” gives you a pretty good impression right off the bat. Frontman Billy Mason-Wood howls his way through the song like a demented banshee who has taken a few bad pills from a dodgy character in the car park outside the Brudenell. Behind him the rest of the band cover the majority of possible definitions of “ferociously mental”.
The real killer factor that “BLKLSTRS” has is that, from the aforementioned opener onwards, there is really very little here that is not out of the top drawer. It may all get a bit too obviously Big Black at times for Albini devotees but getting through this record without
catching yourself smiling and banging your head is a pretty difficult task. Furthermore, for all their devotion to being as loud and angry as they can be, Blacklisters actually can write songs after all. Most of the tracks here are pretty memorable even if they do have the slight
air of tracks that are trying not just to get inside your head but get back out again via the use of a pneumatic drill through the roof of your skull. What’s not to love?
“BLKLSTRS” is out now via the awesome lads at Brew Records. Teabags not provided.
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Sure, Blacklisters are far from the most original band releasing their debut album this year and they definitely place the power of the decibel over the power of the hook, but that is a reason to celebrate them rather than deride them. This Leeds quartet have been making waves with their feral live performances over the last twelve months or so and it only takes a few listens to this debut album to work out why if you have not seen them yourself. 
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