Specky Cult are back, with a whole new sound and bold punk inspired direction on their latest single Swish.
Gone is the acoustic feel of previous releases, replaced by a punchy, full-bodied sound that immediately grabs you.
The Sex Pistols feeling bass riff which greets you at the beginning of the song sets the theme for the more full-bodied sound that the band has gone for, setting the tone for the rest of the track.
This is immediately joined in the mix by heavy and thumping guitars, which the song’s catchy melody is constructed from.
Lying over the top of this is a set of lyrics which take aim at the current beauty standards and the impact they have upon individuals.
These are delivered with the emotion and personality that you’d expect from a Specky Cult, with the group continuing to build their reputation for strong lyricism.
Add to this a catchy and memorable melody, which reaches its glorious climax during the chorus and you have another great single from Specky Cult, which highlights a different side to the group.
If you’re a fan of indie and post-punk, Swish is sure to offer plenty of thrills and fun. Make sure to also check out their previous album, which I reviewed earlier this year.
Specky Cult’s sophomore album blends rock and folk together to craft a unique voice with a truly North East perspective.
The first track, Come Back Kid, immediately sets the scene for the record with a folky feel reminiscent of groups such as Fleetwood Mac. The acoustic guitar on the track immediately establishes this, as gorgeous piano lines drive the track forward, opening the LP in fine fashion.
Love Crap then takes the LP in a different direction, embracing more of an alt-rock sound while maintaining a folk edge. Just imagine a hard rock Lindsey Buckingham, and you are along the right lines. These are joined by synths in the mix, which enrich the listener’s palette.
The LP takes another twist on the third song Seriously, which begins in a manner which echoes About A Girl by Nirvana, before opening up into an interesting melodic flow and a refrain of “seriously” which imbues the chorus.
The group channels Bob Dylan with a lovely mouth organ beginning on Alibi, continuing the folky vibe of the record. The chorus of “I’m not your alibi” sends out a defiant message, hammering home the theme of the track.
Everything Is Awesome brings back the rock guitars, along with a beautiful MOOG synth line that mirrors the vocal line. The song’s lyrics are deeply personal in tone, with the chorus sending a hopeful message to the listener.
Lovely guitar swells adorn Hell Before Breakfast, building towards a great chorus. The track is then immediately followed by Anthems and Tantrums, which takes the folk vibes up to ten with its gorgeous production.
Pull The Plug bursts to life with dominating guitars, surrounded by lyrics that tackle the challenges of living in the internet age, injecting some sharp social commentary into the album.
The track that follows, Pie and Mash, continues along these lines, commenting on the mundanity of everyday life and stating that all singer Carol Stephen needs is “pie, mash and a pint of ale”.
Pie and Mash – Specky Cult
The title track, A Different Kind Of Difficult, begins with a heavy guitar riff, leaving behind the folk vibe that dominates the album for a classic rock feel filled with nice MOOG lines and gorgeously crafted riffs.
The album then comes to an end on Big Shop, which opens with a fake shop closing announcement that I thought was a nice touch. The track’s instrumentation is warm, contradicting the lyrics that complain about the mundanity of ageing, life, and doing the shopping on a Friday.
Overall, this album showcases the band’s strengths as well as the breadth of their musical influences. If you love classic rock and folk, then the band will almost certainly be for you.
Humbug North East 