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Oaf - Botheration album review and tour dates
We Say :- It's a Punkey, Shoutey, Swearey, Drum and Bassey* sonic feast this one. What we have here is a massively fun slice of metallic punk, or punkey metal, or jazzey punk or, oh, fuck it. Some records you just can't pigeonhole and this is one of them. Lets just call it Oafcore. The scene is set when album opens with Dom's dirty distorted Bass sound and some not-so-delicate screaming while drummer James shows off his skin bashing skills. This first track then moves on to some heavy bass riffs (without the screaming) that set the scene for the rest of the record. Oaf call this fine piece "The Oaferture" (see what they did there) and I suspect it's intended mainly to bemuse. The album then kicks it up a gear gear with the massive "A Euphemism for Tits". Oaf set their stall out with a pounding mix of shoutey - screamey vocals and a soon to be trademark blast of bass and drums. Punk, Metal, Jazz, Country and God knows all what is thrown into the mix, and what comes out ROCKS. No widdly guitar solos here, in fact virtually no lead guitars at all. Just Drums, Bass, well written and very funny songs and megawatts of energy. Oaf do almost slip in a proper song, in the form of "The Black Whale". Here there is evidence of real singing, with Dom sounding a bit like an angry Eddie Tudorpole. According to the lads the track is a hymn to the delights of Guinness and Van Der Graaf Generator. I'm sure Peter Hammill would be touched by the sentiment. Celebrity contacts have also been called in too, Justin Hawkins makes an appearance showing his guitar skills on the soon to be live favorite "Giant Ballbag". I mean, Justin Hawkins, Giant Ballbag, that punchline writes itself. What sets this album apart from most of the others in the genre is how clever it is (although they do try to hide this, more or less successfully). The shoutey vocals can't completely hide the intelligent, funny lyrics and top producer Russ Russell has tweaked the knobs to give Botheration an excellent sound. Although tracks like "The Black Whale" and "Tiny When Erect" (yeah, that's one of the songs) are polished, this is done without diluting it's spirit or taking off the rough edge that this type of punk needs. There's a lot here to drag you in and make you smile. "I'm Retarded", "No More Tickets For The Time Machine", "Genoymeen". So many anthems crammed into one small space. Oaf even throw in a cover of Blancmange's cheesy 80's track "Living On The Ceiling" for some reason known only to them. What more could you ask for ? Botheration a CD full of real fist in the air, jump around like a drunken loon heavy punk tracks which are great on record, but will be brilliant live. I for one can't wait. Empty your bowels, clean your ears and prepare yourself... and I'll see you down the front :) Oh, and if anyone can figure out what the flip "Wanking with a fistful of shit" is about, can they let me know ? The Album of the year is here, and now the mighty Oaf ply their trade round the pubs of our fair land. Catch them on the road as they upset the locals near you (if you live in the middle bit of England)..
Tickets are available via the Oaf Myspace * Not as in Shirley ** Best Oaf album, 2010 |
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