If you've been hiding under a rock and have missed them over the last couple of years, The Crunch are a Power punk supergroup featuring Mick Geggus, Terry Chimes, Idde Schultz Dave Tregunna and Sulo Karlsson; none of whom should need any introduction.
'Brand New Brand' is their second album. It kicks off with Lonely Beat Of The Heart which is one of those almost perfect power-punk pop songs that gets stuck in your head about halfway through the first listening. It's cool and a damn fine song about once again needing to find someone to love. Limited Edition is a celebration of individuality and being part of the coolest gang in town set to a rampaging punk pop backing with a bit of a Heartbreakers edge to it.
The first Single, Neon Madonna, is next. It's a song that has been stuck in my head since I first heard it. Here, though, it has a digi dub edge to it and if it doesn't get stuck in your head endlessly you will have done far better than I have as the chorus has been repeating for weeks now. It's a real ear worm of a song. Not sure if hearing them play it live a couple of weeks ago made it stick in my head more than the recorded version, but either way it will get stuck in your head, I promise you.
Banner Of Faith is another song about the band's gang mentality and having something to fight and unite for again. It comes with loads of hooky music and an easy to get message. It could easily be another single even with the slight musical freak out they allow themselves just over halfway through before it ends with speeded up Walk On The Wild Side-style "de doo de doo's."
The album's title cut has some incredible hand-claps and backing vocals over a delicious pop song and statement of intent that they are indeed a Brand New Brand and one we should all love. It also has enough hooks to ensure you will be singing this long after you've finished listening.
25 Hours A Day slows things down a tad on this tender love song wherein the vocalist woos his love with music and lyrics. It's sweet without ever being sickly; a cool bubblegum pop punk song. Solid Rock Steady has Idde singing lead vocals and having a ball as the song has an almost Sahara Hot Nights feel to it and some blistering guitar.
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Seeing Is Believing takes us back to the basic no-nonsense power-pop punk and it's another top notch catchy song. It's rapidly followed by Barricade Blues about someone from the past getting back in touch and the feelings that come up in the wake of the letter arriving. This is bittersweet and rueful and a damn cool song all at the same time with a very cool Spanish-influenced guitar solo.
Return To Form takes aim at a music biz that writes artists off far too quickly and then has fun as they have all Returned to form. Well, this bunch of old legends know just how to make vital-sounding music and this is just one hell of a great song. The instrumental break is brilliant and The Crunch have never lost their form as they keep getting better. It needs to be played back to back with Steve Wynn's Younger, dealing with the same subject.
Save The Glow starts like we need to stick our lighters in the air like we just don't care, but of course The Crunch care and want to make sure you know how much. This is probably the slowest song on the album but don't let that put you off.
The album closes with Go Back to Go like they are sitting round a monopoly board writing lyrics as they let go of their anger at the idiot politicians running the world. These are the folks they want to send back to go, though maybe they should send them to jail too. Whatever, it has a good skank-y feel on the breaks and a great Clash-like ending.
This is a second great album by The Crunch. Go buy it now or go and see them on tour as they are always great live.
The Crunch online
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