Album review: THE BRUTALISTS

THE BRUTALISTS

Cleopatra Records [Release date 31.08.18]

The Brutalists were put together in LA by former LA Guns guitarist Mick Cripps and Quireboys’ bassist Nigel Mogg, and having regularly gigged throughout California, the band have now released their self-titled debut album.

A great mix of influences that includes ska, reggae and some 60’s R&B sounds nicely blended with a bit of punk, a touch of pub rock and a pinch of sleaze, “The Brutalists” contains some clever British humour throughout the lyrics and you can almost certainly hear the Clash here and there.

Opening track “I Don’t Believe A Word” has some ska like elements, with choppy guitars and is almost Yardbirds like in parts, whilst “Meet Me Halfway” has a feel that is reminiscent of the Beatles’ “Ob-La-Di” and there is more of that ‘60’s feel in “Enough Of Me” and “Nutter”.

There is a great melody in “Talk of The Town” and “Know Your Value” could have easily slotted into an ‘80’s movie soundtrack, for me though the album’s winning trio are “Wishing I Was Far Away”, “Look Watcha Gone and Done” and “Jungle Nasty”, the latter of which has some rather excellent lyrics.

The Brutalists are not a band that are trying to capture or capitalise on their past, they are a fully-fledged gigging entity, complete with a really good album and a bright future. ****1/2

Review by Nikk Gunns


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THE GEORGIA THUNDERBOLTS Rise Above It All (Mascot)
MATT PEARCE & THE MUTINY From Here To The Moon (indie)
THE BLACK VULTURES Never Say (indie)

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14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023


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