Ah yes - The Brogues! Didn't get it at all when I first saw them play, gave it some time, came back and was just knocked out by how far they'd honed, tightened and developed their sound, songs and arrangements. Since then it's been upwards all the way. So now we have the first recorded works from this Dundee quartet of Sean Cruickshank on bass, "Boon" Brand on drums and backing vocals, Marc O'Neill on guitar and vocals and Ronnie Falconer on lead guitar in the form of a debut 4-track CD and you have to say that it showcases what the band's all about really well. While it doesn't have the power that they possess live, the tracks are all excellent versions, with one getting very close to what this band can achieve, but more on that later.
The CD opens with the title track, an initial r'n'b guitar riff soon joined by the surging rhythm section and rhythm guitar to provide a driving instrumental backing over which Marco's lead vocal reveals this voice that's got a unique twang to it while at the same time being a distinctive and addictive sounding voice, additional harmonies adding depth while the song itself rises and falls as the listener is carried along on a wave of good-time punk-meets-skiffle complete with infectious arrangement and its sheer sense of fun.
Speaking of fun, if "Carry On" doesn't make you smile, then you're probably dead. Like a punkier version of The Law, this is another good-time song with addictive verses and hooks, Marco's vocal almost Lennon-ish while the band swing along complete with classic sixties style guitar break, solid yet fluid rhythm section work and an observationally written song that's simply a pure joy to hear as it drives along.
But then we come to "Mr Valentine" - now this - THIS - is sheer genius!! Coming close enough to the incendiary liver versions to work its magic, this is a song that simply can't fail to have you leaping about the room with a smile on your face as wide as the Tay. Starting straight into the verse, there's an immediate sene of urgency as the whole band launch into a song that you just know is gonna get the adrenaline flowing, and when that amazingly insistent guitar riff is played by Ronnie, you also know you're not going to get the thing out of your head for hours after, mainly because you're gonna want to play it for hours after. The song itelf rattles along at a fair old pace, the singing on edge and passionate, the choruses full of depth, the hooks pure addiction and the song itself a sea of urgent, good-time solid punk-pop that's got a real bite to it while at the same time being so well arranged and addictive, not to mention uniquely sounding, that it could become one of the greatest songs turned out by a punkier styled Dundee band. One day, you get the feeling that this will be recorded in a well equipped studio and become a top ten smash. Until then, this will do just nicely, thank you.
The final track opens with acoustic guitar and soft vocals, so that you think this is goingto be the ballad on the album, as Boon adds light harmony vocals. But then Sean comes in with galloping upfront bass, Boon adds choppy drums and the guitar is kept to the background riff, while the song itself moves through pop-ballad to urgent as it breaks out into a slice of punk-Beatles, and then drives home on a wave of ringing guitars and crashing rhythms.
Overall, as the performances and the songs go, this is a a triumphant first step - yeh, it is just a first step - but promising so much to come. For now, the band is unique, tight, addictive and fun yet they play with a seriousness and passion that really shows through - and, after all, that's what it's all about - oh yeh, it also comes as an eye-catching pic-disc CD, superbly presented.