When it comes to Chris Thomson stuff I’m a Bit Of A Fan – Ignition, Fury, Circus Lupus, Monorchid, Skull Kontrol and all the rest… I love ’em. Somehow, though, Coffin Pricks entirely passed me by – a glaring error which has thankfully been rectified with the release of this LP, which compiles their sole EP, some unreleased studio cuts and a decently-recorded live set.
Given members’ previous works (beyond Thomson, the other players have boshed about with the likes of Ottawa, Calvary, Cavity and Bob Tilton…) things understandably skew weird. Guitar lines catch on your clothes; rhythms attempt ambitious cartwheels before landing with angle-splintering awkwardness and Thomson snarls out a stream of odd, thoughtful, acid-tinged prose.
Despite all the scrapes and jabs, though, there’s also an undeniable poppiness on display. While it sometimes seems like the band are trying to scupper their own hummability, riffs and vocal lines still manage to fishhook into your brain, refusing to come loose no matter how much you shake your head. This mix of snark and songcraft makes for a compelling mix, and Semi-Perfect Crimes is a must-have for any fans of smart, abrasive, disconcertingly cunning post-punk.