GBH - ‘perfume and piss’
August 1st 2010 02:06
In their 30th year, British punk stalwarts GBH return with their 11th studio album “Perfume & Piss” (I feel the need to mention that GBH have also released over 20 live albums, compilations and EP’s) One thing that stands out straight away is that after 30 years, GBH still have the fire in their belly and the snarl in their songs. Now signed to Tim Armstrong’s Hellcat records, the band have a new lease on punk rock life after a 6 year absence.
The group enlisted the production services of another Rancid member in Lars Frederiksen. The long time fan has helped recapture some of that energy in past GBH records that will appeal to any long time fan. Thirteen tracks of UK style street punk with traditional rock n’ blues riffs and plenty of attitude for men well into their forties/fifties. Songs vary from social commentary on modern life to having fun and standing up for yourself. All typical punk rock fair. Songs like ‘Unique’, ‘Kids Get Down’, ‘Dead Man Walking’ and ‘This Is Not The Real World’ are the stand out tracks while the track ‘Cadillac One’ has a real blues and soulful mood to it.
The only criticism is that the album tends to drag towards the end. 10 tracks would’ve been a suitable punch in the face as the last three are not only longer in time but seem a bit slower and added just to make the album worth the kids’ money to buy it. But despite this, “Perfume & Piss” is a solid record. GBH is not a band to live of past success and past hits. They continue to be relevant without trying to be cool or popular.
Proving that not all punks grow old and become folk singers, it fills my old punk rock heart to know that I too, can still wear leather jackets and spikes and cut off shorts with doc martens when others my age are dealing with midlife crisis’ and suburban monotony.
The group enlisted the production services of another Rancid member in Lars Frederiksen. The long time fan has helped recapture some of that energy in past GBH records that will appeal to any long time fan. Thirteen tracks of UK style street punk with traditional rock n’ blues riffs and plenty of attitude for men well into their forties/fifties. Songs vary from social commentary on modern life to having fun and standing up for yourself. All typical punk rock fair. Songs like ‘Unique’, ‘Kids Get Down’, ‘Dead Man Walking’ and ‘This Is Not The Real World’ are the stand out tracks while the track ‘Cadillac One’ has a real blues and soulful mood to it.
The only criticism is that the album tends to drag towards the end. 10 tracks would’ve been a suitable punch in the face as the last three are not only longer in time but seem a bit slower and added just to make the album worth the kids’ money to buy it. But despite this, “Perfume & Piss” is a solid record. GBH is not a band to live of past success and past hits. They continue to be relevant without trying to be cool or popular.
Proving that not all punks grow old and become folk singers, it fills my old punk rock heart to know that I too, can still wear leather jackets and spikes and cut off shorts with doc martens when others my age are dealing with midlife crisis’ and suburban monotony.
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