Share the post "Album review: THE CRUNCH – Brand New Brand"
Cargo records [release date: 30.04.15]
With this second outing, The Crunch has become a bit more than a side project for a bunch of seasoned punk stalwarts who only got together for a book launch. Headline tours, film premieres and radio airplay (well, in Sweden anyway…) are all part of the band’s busy schedule right now.
‘Brand New Brand’ pretty much picks up where 2013’s ‘Busy Making Noise’ left off. This 12-track album is stuffed with big, lovable slabs of power pop, built around ridiculously catchy hooks, wrapped up in tightly-penned songs that don’t outstay their welcome.
Scratch a bit deeper though, and there’s a fraction more going on than it might at first appear. For a start, Idde Shultz has joined the band on a full time basis. Her influence can be heard all over the album. From some well-placed keyboard tinkling on opener ‘Lonely Beat of the Heart’ with it’s hand-clapping rhythms to sweet backing vocals that almost becomes a duet with Sulo (Diamond Dogs) on ‘Banner of Faith’.
Idde takes over lead vocals on the scuzzy, driving ‘Solid Rock Steady’ and her voice combines well Sulo who manages to combine both a gravelly growl and a nasal twang.
There is a wide range of reference points here too. Check out the reggae underpinning of the delicious ‘Neon Madonna’, the paint-stripping metal solo from Micky Geggus (Cockney Rejects) on ‘Limited Edition’, hints of rockabilly on the aforementioned ‘Banner of Faith’ and the thick glam groove that Dave Tregunna (Sham 69) and Terry Chimes (The Clash) lay down on ‘Brand New Brand’.
Sulo writes all the material here and the tight arrangements really pay off. ‘Seeing Is Believing’ could be a signature track for the band. It barely clocks in at 2 minutes 30 seconds and yet it features a chunky riff, layered guitar solos, an acoustic break, clever lyrics, sweeping synth strings and that ever-present killer hook. A gem.
The same goes for the good-time punk/pop slam of ‘Return to Form’ sandwiched between two ballads. The second of which, ‘Save The Glow’ is the better, cranking up vocal refrains and scything solos that will mow down the unwary.
This is refreshing, punchy stuff from The Crunch, played with relish and verve. Thoroughly enjoyable. More please. ****
Review by Dave Atkinson
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Latest session: Sunday 14 April
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 April 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 2 April 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 15 April 2024
ENMY The Ledge (FiXT)
KAROBELA Get Hard (indie)
KATH & THE KICKS Neptune (indie)
THE BEE TELLERS River Poem (Black Sand Records)
LAUREN FREEBIRD Like A Bomb (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 15 April 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 KATARINA PEJAK – Pearls On A String (Ruf Records)
To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account
Popular (last 10 days)
Share the post "Album review: THE CRUNCH – Brand New Brand"
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
