Some bands – the Dropkicks, for example – just exude the feeling of a gang. Booze & Glory are one of them.
“Boys Will Be Boys” – all chunky riffing and knockabout fun – is the perfect example. Take one on, take them all.
It’s always been that way. Fifteen years ago, when they were knocking out songs like “London Skinhead Crew,” B&G were your classic “oi” merchants. Time has mellowed them… slightly.
Their first album in six years, “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot,” tackles what we’ve done to the world in that time. And it’s not pretty.
At its core, this is simply a fantastic record. “Rocky Road” is a bunch of blokes having fun, and frontman Mark RSK is on fire.
“Mad World” is an immediate highlight – not only is it fundamentally working-class, it’s also as catchy as the flu. You’ll need more than a Beecham’s to shake that chorus.
But at the heart of it all sits “Family Isn’t Always Blood.” Bonds are forged here. These boys mean every word.
There’s some fresh blood in the band too: Manny Anzaldo (Mad Sin, Resurex) on rhythm guitar and Herve JL (Deadline, Argy Bargy, The Filaments) on bass. The latter, in particular, is huge – Maiden-sized grooves straight from the Steve Harris playbook.
They sound superb. “Brace Up” is proof, and whoever “Jimmy Fake” is… mate, the boys are coming for you.
Recorded all over the place, “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” (get it now?!) has a melting pot feel, a culture clash. But “Do Yourself A Favour” is as London as pie and mash.
“I’d Die For You” isn’t a Bon Jovi cover, but it’s touching in the love it holds. The more hard rock-leaning “Legends” slows the pace just enough – and to great effect.
“Till The Last Breath” is the sound of lifers who know no other way, while the ballad “The One And Only” gets the acoustics out to pay tribute to their mate with the big umbrella and the anti-ageing cream.
It couldn’t have ended better.
Look, it’s brilliant anyway, but if ever there was a record made for a sweatbox stage with no barrier, it’s this one.
Rating: 9/10
