A savage and colourful clutter of ideas.
'I can't think of anyone better than the Savage Nomads to rock the whole world' so says legendary Clash axe man Mick Jones (who in this reviewer's humble opinion is the greatest guitarist in music history). It's high praise indeed from a man who has seen it all, done it all and bough the t-shirt. Yet, a statement as bold and striking as that delivered from the mouth of someone as highly regarded as Jones can prove to have a startlingly negative impact on how the band's music is received. It sets up a weight of expectation, that the Savage Nomads are the best band around at the moment, unrivalled in their rebelliousness. A double-edged sword certainly but an accolade that can only be scrutinised properly by listening to "Coloured Clutter". Hyperbole and legendary appraisals aside, this can only be judged on the music.
So, to get a Clash similarity of my chest instantly, Coloured Clutter, on first listen appears to be informed from the rag-tag philosophy of The Clash's Sandinista!; it isn't afraid to experiment with a mish-mash of genres and borders on self-indulgence but never loses its strong punk idealism, an ideology that rings true on each and every track of the album. It's defiance and 'warts n all' approach is something that is hugely endearing and rather than the band recycling and repeating themselves, each song has a depth and diversity to it that is rare from modern bands.
So, finally, to the music. Album opener 'A Statement' is certainly what it claims to be. Its dark instrumentalism looms over the album like a cloud of darkness, diversity and discovery featuring dramatic drum loops and flailing guitars. And then we are greeted with all that Mick Jones promised in 'The Shamanic Verses', an insightful, challenging and provocative slice of the group's unique brand of genre-fusing music. Singer Cole Salewicz raps his way through the song's kaleidoscopic ambience with flair, wit and poetic skill that has a modesty akin to Alex Turner's early Arctic's verse. 'Subsides the Shakes' kicks off with a kinetic bass that is guaranteed to become an indie club floor filler, and once again unveils Salewicz's poetic side.
It seems that Savage Nomads are one of those bands that simply refuse to conform to current trends and avoid pigeon-holing by side-stepping genre conventions altogether. After the math-rock inspired 'Subsides the Shakes' and 'A Dire Love' comes 'What The Angel Said' one of their earlier tracks that provides a platform for the band's raunchier rock n roll elements, complete with scathing and spiky guitar parts that only serve to heighten the song's infectiousness. 'Part One' and 'Pineapple' are tracks where the atmospheric pulsating rhythms of the group efficiently compliment Salewicz's spoken words. This is band that wants to excite and charm with their lyrical wit and their technical virtuosity, delivered effortlessly on these two respective songs.
Whilst, it seems a bit early for Savage Nomads to be rocking the 'whole world', Coloured Clutter is a wonderful record that seems to bypass convention and poke fun at it, a sound that brims with confidence. It's not as instant as others would have you believe but talent is worth waiting for, and you will get your reward as the album's unique style flourishes before your very ears. A confident and strong debut from a confident and strong group of youngsters.