DANGERS CLOSE - APATHY (NOW AVAILBLE FROM AMAZON AND I-TUNES)
I was awaiting the next Danger’s Close album with eager ears as what I have heard and reviewed so far as been a little bit of alright. The first album I reviewed by these guys was entitled 'Closer Than You Think' and really made an initial impact with a strong opening burst. The CD continued to impress and a couple of ensuing SAS slots followed. The second of these slots was with a new vocal vixen at the helm and she did superbly following on from her predecessor who had that little special something. Can the new lass pull out the stops here? It is a big ask but one which cannot be avoided in this over-judgemental scene. Before going into the meat of the review can it just be said that this is one of those efforts that doesn't hit home straight away and in truth I was left a little flat after the initial spins. If I would have done a review at that point then a few critical strands of melodic mycelium would have spread throughout the textual matter and caused a sinister rot to set in. Has a sonic fungicide been sought or has the CD flat-lined and is not as good as I expected - you want the truth and that is what you will get.
We commence with 'Denial' a safe song that doesn't really gamble and go for the jugular. It is a case of 'play it steady' I feel and this track is outdone several times later on in the CD but is still an adequate start. I wanted an initial bomb blast to blow my knackers off but I feel as though my nuts are only slightly bruised. A nice melodic guitar gets us going and some semi-sneering bitchy bellows build in stature as the song progresses. The chorus rolls in nicely and gives a full cohesiveness that wins favour as well as assisting the general listenability. Maybe this is a teasing piece that just wants to let you have a glimpse of what is to come? If that is the case then it certainly does just that. 'Out Of Your Depth' is more like it for me and has a more holistic fullness and gets that leading lady stretching her range and showing her genuine quality. This is a song that gets better by the listen and really works well via headphones. The opening string work is a perfect for the silky yet strong utterances and after a build up of gobbology we have a chorus that operates with brilliance and has my head well and truly turned. The male backing vocals are individualistic and compliment the somewhat female orgasmic cries that are filled with unrestrained passion. A real bold effort this and one that kicks us into the fray of the CD in no uncertain terms.
A creeping terror has us by the short and curlies next with a song that is quite happy stalking and taking its time before unleashing an all out attack. Vocally it pleases me no end and a variety of ranges and attitudes are dealt our way with dramatic effect. The musicianship of 'Who's Next' is as one could expect - spot on - and the general song construction has a little mental matter behind it rather than that found in a more regular slap-dash punk ditty. There is a whole lotta nouse behind the DC output and do yourself a favour and take a little time to take it all in. The band seems settled at this point and I am expecting this high-flying effort to soar to even greater acoustic altitudes and make some real cloudbursts. The title track upholds the standard so far with some sniping lyrics that deal with our somewhat passionless scene. 'Apathy' will upset the trendy fuckers who are using punk as a vehicle to feed ego or to pass time until something better comes along. You know the people and for the lyrics alone this gets a fungal nod. Mind you it ain't a bad song either so I'm gratified all round.
'Suicide' is a disjointed effort that has a bit more of the snarl factor. It speeds then hesitates and as a stench of indecisiveness. Not my favourite track but is something different in the mix which is never a bad thing. There will be plenty who like this and some what won't - you get tracks like that! 'Little Tommy' needs no further explanation if you are a Danger's Close fan and is a solid song that all seem to like. It is a song about how stretched our medical services are and how doctors can be pushed into missing the obvious. The government has a lot to answer for! There is a friendly tune here upgraded with a nice vocal overlay and which leads into the equally familiar 'The Fear. Of the two I prefer this latter effort as it has a lot more fire in its belly and just one helluva break approximately just over half way through. The DIY edge is obvious which some may say negates the blatant qualities the song has whereas I say it adds grimy character and makes the effort more real. Anyway both songs are two real splodges of cement that hold both sides of the CD together with reliable efficiency.
'Just A Man' boosts up the tempo with a thumping tune and a real siren rage against the male community. Fuck around males had better watch out here and to be honest I can't fault this femme fuck you attitude. Good to see the front lass off the leash and nowhere is this more than beneficial to the band than with the epic hatefest entitled 'Waste Of Space'. The virulent venom is sprayed into the heart of the listener and it hurts with a passion. The creeping malevolence is pure spite with fangs and talons slashing in sincere harmony that is somewhat erotic in a bizarre extreme. This is more than feistiness - this is unadulterated she-aggression and a fury not to be taken lightly. I love it and am just glad all the guys at the back do a superb job in making this a real poison piece of punk. I'd like more of the same but have no complaints with the pursuing 'Closer Than You Think' that again has all components testing their talent and coming up trumps. There is a sub-ballad sound to the first verse which leads into a nice rockin' chorus full of high voltage decibels. Here the DIY input is found wanting slightly and you realise that with a cash input the Danger's Close crew could really produce some outstanding material. Nevertheless we mustn't forget this is punk and things need a certain amount of filth within the sonics to feed our salivating spiky desires - Dangers Close do that so why the fuck am I griping - all together now - 'Fungalpunk’s a wanker, Fungalpunk’s a......' - ok enough’s enough ya twats!
Moving swiftly on 'What's Your Problem' is a funny old song that I like but which usually passes me by due to it being overshadowed by its predecessors and the fuckin' superb finale of 'Out Of Your Depth'. More of the latter track in a minute! So 'What's Your Problem' tumbles in with vicious somersaulting action and is soon chaperoned by more vibrant vocalisation. Accelerator pressed and go go, go before we slow, ask questions and surge further - repeat. A good strong effort that has a crackin' instrumental section which is basic but effective - that's the way folks! We rattle to the end and get a few more power chops before we are told 'No One Gives A Toss'. I do and this is good so fuckin' buy it cunts! And so back to the finale which in truth is a beautiful piece and one of my favourite tracks. It’s an acoustic outpouring that gives a seal of approval on the leading lights sweet liquid voice than can caress and scar whenever the need arises. This is a passionate song that has some gorgeous backing vocals and both oral outputs intertwine and compliment with such charming artistry. Like two spiralling plumes of delicate mist each and every molecule floats on intentional spirit and quite happily disappears into one final stunning cloud. I am narked in some ways that my new CD has gone to press because I would have loved to have this effort on there. A real well done to all concerned.
So Dangers Close overcome a change around in staff and produce an album that at first I was unsure of but have warmed to greatly and become quite pleased with. I am so happy for the band that things are looking solid and despite quiet concerns they may never have regained their footing and would have floundered into oblivion they are, I am glad to say, fighting fit. Don’t presume my thinking was negative – bands falling into a decline is just a sad state of affairs I've seen happen too often. Anyway all’s well and the DC machine is ready to rough up your ear holes - please do not let this pass you buy and if you are unconvinced ask people on the scene what do they think of this band - I bet the feedback is all positive!