One for the birds

Artist: VINDICATE THIS! / Title: “STRONGER THAN YESTERDAY” / Genré: OI! / Format: CD / Label: AT THE POORHOUSE PRODUCTIONS

Right, before I had heard this cd, I had understood that this would be a skinhead rock & roll band that was influenced by The Templars, who in their turn have always had a rac-influence going and with the title to this album, I was expecting something like Brutal Attack, minus the politics.

How wrong I was, the title tune is a tune about hard drinking and this is much better than most of what Brutal Attack have managed to put out over the years. There is still a definite rac feeling, though, I mean, they sound a lot like The Small Faces meeting 70′s rock & roll, meeting Cock Sparrer, meeting early Skrewdriver, which is another way of saying that they sound a lot like 80′s rac bands. For some reason, I keep thinking of aussies Fortress when I hear them.

In other words, this is a rocking, fairly melodical powerhouse with growling vocals and some fine singalong moments.

I like it.

What I also like is the fact that lyrics come included and I find myself agreeing with most of their views. I have myself been unemployed for some years during the 90′s and can recognise myself in what they have to say and their view of society. More than so, I find myself in complete agreement with them on having one’s pride and not asking for handouts. Myself, I’d rather starve than beg strangers for spare change.

Which is perhaps why I find myself in non-agreement with them on alcohol. Alcohol is not your friend when you exist at the bottom of society, it kills off your hatred and bitterness.

I like this record a lot, I especially like the shorter, hate-driven songs  like “I hate my time”. If there is something to be not so over the top enthusiastic about, then it is the songs “Fed up” (nice lyrics, but far too long) and “Glory days” (cos of the oi! oi! oi! chorus that just end up stereotypical).

If you like this kind of music, you can’t get wrong with this ‘un! Get it!