Bull See Red - Chinatown Part 1
There’s just one slight problem with Bull See Red’s latest EP…there’s not enough of it! The Exeter quartet - whose debut release ‘A Girl Called Murder’ impressed many - have split their new record into two EPs, meaning we’re only given twenty minutes worth of material and must wait until September for the second instalment.
‘Chinatown Part 1’ features three brand-new tunes as well as acoustic and live versions of two older songs (‘Krakatoa’ and ‘Roll Royale’). The five-track EP commences with fast and ferocious ‘Chinatown’, which is undoubtedly the highlight of the record and flaunts BSR’s intoxicating punk rock sound. Shouty vocals, catchy guitar riffs and intense drumming are all present on the song, making it an extremely appealing and inviting opener.
Although the gang vocals are most noticeable on this track they are in fact present throughout the whole EP, and at times Jake Hitchcock and Joe Ings are reminiscent of early Billy Talent and Anti-Flag.
Much like their first record, ‘Chinatown Part 1’ features a fantastic mix of heavy and soft in equal measures, with the EP showcasing the band's strength in depth and their ability to combine acoustic ballads with fast-paced rock anthems.
‘Here’s Looking At You’ is one of those aforementioned slower tracks, despite intricate riffs which differ in pace and flow. Another song that shows off the quartet’s softer side is ‘Krakatoa’, the track originally featured as a ballsy rock ballad on ‘A Girl Called Murder’, but the band have successfully reinvented it as a mellow, acoustic tune on this record.
In addition to ‘Krakatoa’, another song from the group’s back catalogue makes an appearance on the new EP. The punchy and powerful live recording of ‘Roll Royale’ not only highlights that this band are as competent on stage as on CD, but proves that they are one of the UK’s most promising new punk bands.
Ultimately this is a solid and strong follow-up to the four-piece’s debut, but with only five songs - two of which were featured on ‘A Girl Called Murder’ - it’s quite difficult not to feel a little hard done by. ‘Chinatown Part 1’ is likely to leave fans frustrated that they have to wait until September (when the second EP is released) to hear new material.
But whilst Bull See Red’s decision to split the record may be disappointing to fans, it is undeniably a tactical move on the band’s part as it keeps punters eager. The famous saying ‘treat ‘em mean, keep ‘em keen’ has never been more apt.