Labels: Crackle Records
Review by: Andy Malcolm
Woo woo, just got me the Christie Front Drive anthology CD today. At last. Got nothing to do with this review, but whatever, it’s great, maybe a bit old to merit it’s own talk so I’ve poached a line or two for it in this Servo review instead. Hope you don’t mind.
Right, Servo. You have their 5 track EP on Crackle right? You really love 2 or 3 of those really cool punky indie pop songs, yeah? A whole album packed with those would rule, wouldn’t it? Better look elsewhere. Because Servo have served up 30 minutes worth of Snuffy Smile poppy, melodic punk rock. And I think it’s my favourite Crackle full length yet.
Everythings here, from the bouncy pop suss, to the intricate and complex guitar work, the melodies, the cool high pitched boy backups (think the singer from Scarper!)…and the vocals. Carolyn is the only holdover in the band from the previous 7″, which is a bonus, as she’s great. Suits the songs, and original too, being a uniquely English sounding girl singer – a rarity it seems in UK punk. Toppo.
Servo are at their best on the pop-charged efforts such as opener “Charver” and ender “Another Day Friend”, and just wait for the incredible “Vice Versa” which is just super melodic punk juiced with full on catchy popness, totally one of my favourite songs of ’99 so far. Amidst these gems they sprinkle Lovemen style emotional punk rockers like “Best Guess”, but perhaps laced with more melody a la Blew or Navel. And all 11 songs are piled through in around half an hour. You couldn’t really ask for much more. Except for some lyrics?
Yes yes yes, definitely the sort of punk band I want to have on my record player. I recommend you do too.