Post punk – new wavers Department S return with a new album `Burn Down Tomorrow` this month. These days the band consists of long-standing member, guitarist and chief songwriter Phil Thompson, Mike Lea on bass and Simon “Basher” Bowley on drums. This new release has guest appearances from Baz Warne (The Stranglers), Leigh Heggarty (Ruts DC), and Stephen Rice (The Chameleons).
A stuck match and poured petrol ignites title track `Burn Down Tomorrow` an anthemic thumping rousing call to arms and a rallying cry against all that seems wrong with our current society and a demand to alter this situation. We enjoy a more reflective musing with `One By One` which again has underlying political and cultural observations.
`The Resurrection Of The Soldiers` may possibly be a metaphor taking inspiration from the Stanley Spencer mural that depicts the war dead rising from the dead and entering a time of peace. A kind of echo of maybe the philosophical statement of “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Leigh Heggarty the guitarist from Ruts DC joins the band on `Whistle For The Wind` a powerful offering that appears to be an affirmation to keep searching for what you desire despite challenges put before you.
`Take You To The Dance` gently grows out of the previous number and is another thoughtful exploring composition. There`s an eagerness to the intro to `Triumph And Regret` another rousing hymn whose title really sums up what it`s about – victory and remorse.
`Jump In The Serpentine` isn`t meant to be taken literally, but a foot tapping analogy on the phrase carpe diem or seizing the day, to urge someone to make the most of the present time and give little thought to the future. I thought that `Lost Lovers (Of The Cold War)` is the kind of stirring number that will go down a storm when shared live. A meditation possibly on people who are stuck in the past.
`Take The Money And Run!` has guitarist Stephen Rice from The Chameleons adding his talents on this blistering submission that talks about accepting what you have achieved. The album closes out with `So Far Away` with Baz Warne from The Stranglers adding his deft guitar work on this shimmering measured reflection on life.
`Burn Down Tomorrow` is a cracking mix of powerful uplifting anthems blended with some much more reflective and thought-provoking compositions. An album that to me, is made to be shared and enjoyed live.
An incendiary listen on anybody`s terms.
Rating 8.5/10
