The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster - Blood and Fire (Album Review)
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
Written by Adam Brown
Bouts of rehab and the exit of their founding member since their second album hasn’t hindered TEMBD’s determination to keep trudging on as they put out a third full-length offering titled Blood And Fire back in May this year.
Staying true to their (almost) unique goth/garage-punk sound, this latest project will most likely not disappoint fans. However, anyone who is new to this band may want to check out their debut or even the work of their obvious influences first, notably The Stooges, The Cure, Joy Division and The Horrors.
Blood And Fire does sound a bit ‘done before’. Lead singer Guy McKnight’s gloomy drawl is immediately reminiscent of Ian Curtis but is sometimes pushed to retching out nasty punk snarls or screams. Whether this appeals or not, it is fitting. Especially when you consider that the rest of the band can occasionally sound a bit like the kids down your road practising covers of The Damned in their parents’ garage.
The standard punk routine of distorted three-chord guitars and basic drum parts is often carted out on Blood And Fire with opener ‘Love Turns To Hate’ being a prime example. No messing about here; this is a hard-hitting, loud, ugly punk track and it kicks things off quite well. Of course, most of the album is in the same vein as this sort of style with some atmospheric glum gothic overtones coming through over a good deal of it. However, there is some more mature experimentation thrown in, which splits up any monotony quite nicely. ‘So Long, Good Night’ is slower and demonstrates more control amongst the bands’ musicians alongside some solid vocal harmonies in the chorus. ‘Under My Chin’ sounds a lot like it has a Queens Of The Stone Age influence with its sharp guitar licks and satisfyingly loud, sludgy breakdown. If there is one song to listen out for it would be the brutal rant that is ‘Monsieur Cutts’. Probably not one to play to your Gran but it definitely shows what the band can do in full-on assault mode.
Blood And Fire is a very average album and it isn’t for everyone. It’s almost an original idea but ends up sounding more like a 70s punk band with someone like Robert Smith at the microphone. Some of the song arrangements are good and show developed musicianship but what they play has already been done years ago and to a much higher degree, so think about checking out some similar artists first.
STEREOBOARD RATING - 3/5.
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
