Ducking Punches - Fizzy Brain
9.5/10
Ducking Punches’ debut Dance Before You Sleep’s stirring mix of folk, punk and alt-rock made it one of my albums of 2014. This Pledge funded follow-up is even better.
I’ve called the band folk-punk but they are out-growing that tag. Greedy Bones and Fun Fun Fun – complete with its references to fireworks over Mousehold Heath – bring to mind early Manics. Propelled by Serge’s violin, the title track is a rousing rocker. Appropriately for the deep, personal lyrics, Drinking Outside Funerals, It’s Not Over Yet Friends, JFH and House Guest take things into gentler, more reflective territory. Throughout, Pete anchors things with strong drumming. Guitarist Cal is a secret weapon, with his Joey Santiago-meets-Mogwai chops. Vocalist Dan can holler with the best of them but he’s broadening his style, with God Damn Coward andHeathers showcasing a more melodic approach. He’s becoming both a great singer and a great frontman. Good as Dan is, when bassist Sophie takes the vox for the Buzzcocky new-wave-punk-pop of Taking Back The Living Room, it makes me wonder why she doesn’t sing lead on a few more songs.
DP are best witnessed live - there can’t be many bands that threaten to blow The Hold Steady off-stage as they did at NS+V2014 – but this is a great album.
9.5/10
