First Truth Cult LP came out and I told everyone I thought might be even half way interested to check it out if they liked Swiz or Ignition or that sort of late 80s DC stuff. Feels like a while since then, but the time away has been well spent: the band have lost none of their fire, but sprawled out from straight-up punkdom and into a place that’s less Dischord of the 80s and more, umm, Dischord of the 90s. Sure, there are still some direct, knee-to-the-knackers punk blasts, but these are tempered by a sense of explosive sense of experimentation. Odd, unexpected melodies pop by for a bit before making a dash for the door, while organ, sax and piano (including an energetic bout of ‘Suffragette City’ thump ‘n’ plunk) all make themselves felt. Vocal duties are fairly evenly distributed between Emily Ferrara and Paris Roberts, variously lulling, soaring and straining in a manner that adds texture and variety but is also entirely unified. It’s hurtlingly succinct and brimming with ideas, and whilst it drips with heart there’s also a strange sort of unknowableness to it that makes you want to keep on listening in order to unlock its puzzles and hidden codes. So if you like Swiz or Ignition or that sort of late 80s DC stuff I’d say you’re still onto a winner, but even more so if your tastes extend to the likes of Lungfish, Fugazi, Sleater Kinney and Smart Went Crazy.
