Release
date: November
23rd
2018. Label: Riot Season Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
It’s
Not Nothin’
– Tracklisting
1.Opener 04:41
1.Opener 04:41
2.Transcranial
02:17
3.Turn
It Off 02:47
4.Sloucher
02:18
5.Workin'
Man's Blues 04:07
6.Holsten
Thrills 03:15
7.Rathaus
04:19
8.Pink
Roses 01:47
9.Sud
Ripper 01:38
10.Springer
02:21
11.Become
the Scum 04:54
Review
Workin’
Man Noise Unit second full length album It’s Not Nothin’ takes a
more punk rock approach compared to their debut album. The band still
include elements of Heavy Rock, Psych, Stoner and Sludge Rock.
However this album has more in touch with bands such as The Clash.
This album may not be as easy-going as their debut album but
underneath the punk vibes there is some top-notch Torche based
melodies.
Workin’
Man Noise Unit are still signed to UK Label Riot Season Records and
it’s a perfect match with for both parties. As I couldn’t really
see Workin’ Man Noise Unit working at any other label than Riot
Season. Riot Season Records have a great reputation releasing the
weirder sounding Psych/Doom/Stoner Rock albums from bands you may not
necessarily have heard of.
Anyway,
back to the album review. Opening track – Opener – is a Punk Rock
driven Sludge/Stoner Rock number with the band adding an
anti-establishment feel to their music with a slight twinge of Prog
Rock Weirdness. The Punk Rock vibe is very strong on this song with
the vocals having a Joe Strumner feel to them. The mood is buoyant,
angry, vibrant and fun which sets up the tone for the whole album.
Second
song – Transcranial - has a fast-paced swirling psychedelic and
manic rock energy with the band moving from the angry Punk Rock
sounds and swirling Sludge/Stoner grooves. For a two minute song, the
band include a lot of different ideas and sounds that complement each
other superbly well.
Third
song –Turn It Off – carries on the sound from the previous song
with the band not letting up with their new-found Punk Rock approach.
It’s another short-paced song which isn’t as compelling or
convincing as the band try too many ideas that don’t come off as
well as they should.
Fourth
Song – Sloucher – is a much better song with the band focusing on
the more psychedelic aspect on their music. This song is heavy with
some epic riffs bursting out at the seams. The atmosphere is very
lo-fi but that’s the overall charm of Workin’ Man Noise Unit’s
music. The lyrics are direct and very much in your face.
Fifth
song – Workin’ Man Blues – is one of the best songs on the
album with the band playing a heavier Sludge/Stoner/Blues hybrid
sound and it’s packed full of angry sounds from the start. The
guitars are distorted at times but offer a true “Punk Rock”
approach. The psychedelic/trippy elements of the song are what make
everything standout and leave you wanting more.
The
second half of the album carries on the experimental
Punk/Psych/Stoner/Sludge Rock approach we’ve heard with the songs
so far. The album does become a whole lot weirder and angrier as well
with the band never sticking to the same style of music on certain
songs. One of the songs – Holsten Thrills – has a more Garage
Rock feel to it and it’s quite a thrilling song with superb lyrics
to match.
Workin’
Man Noise Unit are perhaps more confident on the second half of the
album or maybe the listener finally becomes accustomed to their very
weird and heavy psychedelic sound. Whatever the reason is, this is
where the album really starts to impress on every level with the
production being first rate by holding everything together.
Standout
songs on the second half include: Rathaus, Pink Roses, Springer and
Become
The Scum.
It’s Not Nothin’ does have a wicked sense of humour contained
within the lyrics. However it won’t be for everyone as much of the
humour is mainly about everyday life living in the United Kingdom and
that may be lost on some.
Overall,
Workin’ Man Noise Unit have delivered a glorious and superb
sounding album that will keep their established fan-base more than
happy until they deliver their next record.
Words
by Steve Howe
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