The Great Malarkey - Badly Stuffed Animals
The Great Malarkey definitely don't waste any time getting started when it comes to their debut album, Badly Stuffed Animals. There's something almost charming about their particular brand of folk-punk, although the impression is very clearly given that the band of merry misfits don't actually care about what you think of them, or even their music.
Opener Moneybags is in-your-face from the start, as the Dalston seven-piece throw out the pretension usually associated with bands from that area, and instead focus on having a rip-roaring, foot-stamping, gypsy-ish good time. Banjos, fiddles and more create a riotous accompaniment to the songs, dragging a dance from even the most reluctant of movers.
There's no doubt that sometimes the Victorian melodrama of bands like The Great Malarkey can risk stumbling into unintentional parody, or falling victim to trite cliches, but luckily The Great Malarkey manage to side-step those faults and remain firmly enjoyable - and self-aware. Not only that, but the sensibilities are firmly rooted in the present day - anger at the government and political situation pervades the songs while not taking over the focus, and there's a lot of fun to be found in being angry to tunes like these.
That's not to say that there aren't any flaws; A Whiskey Too Far has a lovely creaky - and menacing - air, but feels disjointed at times and drags. Ha Ha Freak takes a while to get going, and relies slightly too heavily on the signature wails of singer Alex Ware (although she does them so well).
And Ware's vocals are a definite highlight; ranging from deep growls to sultry smooth, she manages to twist her voice around the songs, digging thorns into every note.
The album itself has more than a few highlights of its own. Badman is endearing in spite of itself, mixing definite Dalston vibes with a great ska/reggae infused sound. The trumpets and bass refuse to be cowed. Poor Against Poor is another song which refuses to go unnoticed and will demand your attention, kicking and screaming if it absolutely has to. Uneven rhythm and a mixed-up tempo all contribute to a mesh of influences and one of the most enjoyable songs around - as long as no one suffers from motion sickness.
There's no doubt that The Great Malarkey have a great debut album in Badly Stuffed Animals; the only question is whether their follow-up will be just as great. Somehow, it seems like it will be.