Kickback Generation – Rant

I've seen Kickback Generation a few times over the last couple of years at assorted shows and always enjoyed their live sets. I've also heard a couple of tracks from this album being played on Radio Northumberland which floated my boat so the purchase was made and here's what I think!

From the f-bomb in first few seconds of RANT you can take an educated guess that your granny most likely won’t care for this very appropriately named album. Well, not unless she’s a super-cool granny, that is. For example, my nieces’ granny is in her mid 70s and is a big Rammestein fan - there is a funny story attached but I digress.....

Back to the point. If, however, you like your punk stamped with a big P for Political, then RANT is just the thing to put a smile on your face. To be honest, even if you’ve been turned off by political punk in the past, please don’t let that put you off this album! Kickback Generation have splendid tunes and attitude in equal measures so if you like your punk a bit more tuneful and not just raucously powerful then you’re onto a winner.

I’m going to comment on my 3 favourite tracks from the album and leave the rest up to you. Tell you what though, it was tricky picking the favourites – a bit like when you have a 10p mix-up and you can’t decide between the white mouse and the fizzy cola bottle ‘coz they’re both SO good!!

Ok, here goes:

Track #2 - WHO ARE YOU –   “Check you out on Google  - comes back no identity” is one of those snippets of a song that has taken up residence in my head and I find myself singing randomly at any given time of the day or night. Superb tune with lots more f-bombs that’ll make your granny tut but so what? This is proper music not some rubbish twee pop from the x-factor!!

Track #7 - SHALLOW – I just LOVE this track!! 100% bang up to the moment 21st century social statement. Opening up with a soundbite from Cheryl Tweedy Cole Fernandez-Versini that’s been perfectly snicked from her hair advert days and then diving head first into an extremely beguiling tune which I just know will be sung to you non-stop by your inner voice because it can’t help but nod in agreement to the sentiment. Plastic people indeed. 

Track #8 – 79 – This is an epic 5:53 obituary lamenting the death of heavy industry along the banks of the River Tyne and the heartfelt lyrics make me wonder if this is partly, or even wholly, autobiographical? It's a great song with a smashing riff that bounced round my head for several days after first hearing it and continues to do so.  

(c) Clemmy Scotswood

The band leave you in no doubt as to which side of the political toast their butter is on and I noticed that are references to a certain “lady” from the 1970s and 1980s littered throughout the songs that strongly suggest there's no love lost there!!! "Kiss my arse and rest in piss" kind of says it all really.

The album is a non-stop Kickback Party Political broadcast and just so happens to pretty much coincide with the length of my average journey to work so it's perfect listening for my daily commute – result!

So, in summary, this is a brilliant album. Good tunes and clever, meaningful lyrics.  Buy the album at one of Kickback Generation’s live shows and keep an eye on their Facebook page for all the latest news.

Great work chaps – see you again soon!