It seems aaaages since the Great St Louis released “Forever Now”. Three
years ago at least, which in cat-years, is actually quite a long time.
I had a sneaking suspicion that it was going to be another one of
those awesome releases that leaves you waiting endlessly for the
follow-up that never comes. It’s not nice for bands to do things like
that.
As it turns out I (obviously) was wrong. The other week I saw the
Great St Louis for the first time in ages, and was a bit apprehensive
as to the extent to which they’ve weathered the passing of time.
Needn’t really have bothered worrying really, I sat there clasping my
overpriced cider, gleefully taking it all in.
There is plenty of variation over the ten or so tracks here,
chartering a deft course between Social Distortion here, and of
Phoenix Foundation over there. The Great St Louis by turns haul and
cajole you along with them on their world weary journey. I absolutely
love records with production like this, all warm treacly fuzz, rasping
guitars, and sawdust laced vocals. This entire record is like a
knowing wink followed by a hearty punch to the arm. It wants to be
your best friend, or failing that, a worthy drinking buddy.
The Great St Louis know the rules and conventions governing any decent
scruffy melodic punk band. So accordingly, this thing here starts out
strictly average, sinking slowly into your head, deeper and deeper
with each listen. “Strawman” somewhere near the end of the record sums
everything up for succinctly, thumping away with that vibe that you
loved from all those bands on the old Boss Tuneage samplers.
This record is a decent blast of booze scented air, and worth the wait for sure