Album Review – PSYCHOPUNCH – Smakk Valley

Steamhammer/SPV (Release date – 25/02/13)

Psychopunch describe themselves as ‘Swedish, no bullshit punk ‘n’ rollers’ which really tells you all you need to know about the band. Hailing from Vasteras in Sweden the guys have been influenced by the likes of The Backyard Babies, Hellacoptors and quite possibly The Wildhearts as well. This is album number ten for the guys and it’s a bit of a cracker.

The band master in great blasts of punk laced rock ‘n’ roll, shot through with a rich vein of melody and harmony. Each track is an ‘in your face’ rocker with a hook that will get lodged in your brain. Whether it is the fast and furious ‘ Kick In The Head’ or the slow burning ‘Sitting By The Railroad’ with its great vocal harmonies and country music influence, the band produce quality songs.

Standout tracks for me were the short, sharp shock of ‘Emilie’ which is 2mins and 56 seconds of pure punk joy and ‘My Empty Head’ which has an excellent chorus and some tasty guitar licks from JM and Joey. This is music made to make you bounce and to put a huge smile on your face.

‘Smakk Valley’ may not change the world, but with a copy in your collection it will certainly make it a happier place to be for 45 minutes and you can’t ask for more than that.

****

David Wilson

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)