Music > Album Reviews

The Alarm - WAЯ

26/02/21

The Alarm played their first gig just under forty years ago. In the years since, there have been massive hits, a gig that was beamed live from the US into millions of homes around the world, splits, reunions and line-up changes. Vocalist/guitarist Mike Peters is the only member left from that debut gig but James Stevenson (Gen X, Cult, Chelsea and more), Smiley, Mark Taylor and Jules Jones Peters back him up in fine style.

Some might question the relevance of The Alarm in 2021.  Written, recorded and mixed in just fifty days, new album WAЯ is plenty relevant. I can’t lie, it isn’t going to change the future of music, keeping close to The Alarm’s original sound where folk was spliced with punk, injected with soul testifying and given big, BIG choruses but it is an invigorating call to arms. It crackles with urgency and energy and vitality on songs like Protect And Survive and Warriors, whilst the cover of Massive Attack’s Safe From Harm -  featuring Skindred’s Benji – is a brave and original take on a classic.

If this doesn’t do anything new, it does it in fine style and The Alarm equal, if not better, the young pups. Give it a go, you won’t be disappointed.

8/10