I don’t like labels being given to music particularly, I mean I had a record sent to me the other day claiming to be Blackened post-hardcore, if you understand that then all the best.
Take punk rock, for example. The night before I’m writing this I saw Dead Boys. Old 77 punks they might be and ain’t it fun? But here, on the other hand, are Smalltown Tigers. Three ladies from Rimini, who on the face of it have little in common with Cheater Chrome and the chaps.
Except maybe one thing: they sound like a gang. All punk rock should and that is the overwhelming feel throughout “Crush On You”.
A lot of the credit for that must go to Stiv Cantarelli and Robi Villa – alias blues-punks duo JD Hangover, who again produce (they did likewise on ST’s debut) while Jim Diamond (who has worked with some of the greats) masters again.
This is basically just a release of pent-up frustration, like they waited for years to release their second record and now its here it is just a relief.
“Meet In The City” is the promise of the bright lights, the adventure, the danger. But there’s the energy, the harmonies and the way it finishes with a guitar solo, just so “Crush On You” can start with one.
And that’s where it differs from the aforementioned Dead Boys. This is innocent, sweet, almost power pop.
This – a little like the mini album actually- should have come out in the summer not the grey of February, because the likes of “In A Dream (With A Fool Like You) are an absolute sugar rush designed for cloudless skies.
All of which makes “Teddy Bear” a little bit of a surprise. Straight out of the 90s, it’s harsh and abrasive. If The Word was still on TV this would be on the end still. L7 would be proud.
The beauty of this is in the simplicity, though. “I Want You” sees them whip up quite a storm. Drummer Serena in particular beats her kit as if it owes her money, while the lead guitar work on “Maybe” is sensational. Surpassed only by its glorious harmonies.
At just 25 minutes long, there’s barely time for a hey-ho let’s go in amongst the maelstrom. Songs just keep coming at you in a kaleidoscopic riot of colour. “Monster” is attacking you in a blur, while the object of their desire in “Dressed Right And Skinny” doesn’t stand a chance. “You’re my favourite toy” goes the hook. How they play is anyone’s guess.
There is a thought that Smalltown Tigers live simply to get moshpits going. “Joey” – with its insistence is proof. Put simply, they know what they want and they know how to get it.
Invoking my theory that hand claps make any song sound fun, even if it palpably is not, then “Killed Myself When I Was Young” proves it right for the umpteenth time, plus it gets Hanoi Rocks bonus points for its unhinged use of saxophone.
At that Dead Boys show Jake Hoult (who sings these days) reckoned that punk rock was the future of the human race. Maybe, maybe not, but with the old guard not going on forever, then the younger breed like Smalltown Tigers are ready to accept the torch and make the future their own.
Rating 9/10
REVIEW: SMALLTOWN TIGERS – CRUSH ON YOU (2024)
Published:
