Happy Slap Attack
So at last there's an Engerica album, it's been a long time coming and a string of fantastic singles have only heightened the anticipation. There is one slight niggle, that being that if you're already a fan of Engerica then it's slightly disappointing that there are only four or five songs on the album that haven't already appeared on single releases. The obvious plus of this of course is that now you can have them all together, interspersed with new songs and I honestly think most die hard fans will just be pleased that the album is finally out!
Opening salvo 'Reasons to be Fearful (Pt.1)' is aptly titled! A relentless out and out thrash number it's not subtle or particularly indicative of what's to follow but in many ways that's Engerica in a nutshell. Recently re released single 'The Smell' follows and it's easy to see why this has been a single twice! It's got all the winning elements, a great catchy riff and the big chorus, it's melodic but raucously loud with it. Long time live favourite 'It Was A Goddamn Suicide!' follows and at last makes it onto a recording and it was certainly worth the wait.
'Funeral Song' and 'Misery Guts' are the slower tracks on the album and serve to show that Engerica aren't all about in your face thrashing with some cultured fretwork. Dave's vocals really come to the fore here and whilst I don't think anyone would argue that he's not the greatest singer, he has an originality to his voice that you can't help but like. Different in style they are no less catchy, particularly the chorus to 'Misery Guts'. Now 'Roadkill' was always going to be a single, with its monster riff it's just built for growling and snarling, quite simply it kicks ass! In many ways it's a shame I've heard 'Roadkill' and 'My Demise' before, I can only imagine being an Engerica virgin and hearing these two tracks back to back for the first time, I think it's safe to say it would be a jaw dropping moment.
'Trick or Treat' once again has already been a single release (way back when) and it still stands up well alongside the newer tracks such as the discordant, yet catchy and rather amusing 'Arsehole'. The album finishes up with 'Crooked Sex', which is a little more mature in terms of the sound, despite being one of the older tracks and 'Did You Hear What Sylvia Said?'. The latter being a number full of contrast between dark, threatening verses and coarse music breaks. I'm not convinced that this is the best track to finish the album with, so it's a good job that there's a secret bonus track! But hey, it's a secret track so go find it for yourself.
Overall it's a highly impressive debut from Engerica, the singles stick out but there's certainly no filler on here. In places perhaps the production could have been bigger but if you crank it up loud enough it becomes a minor distraction at best. Aside from the rip roaring tunes, the appeal of Engerica comes in their honest approach to everything they do, there doesn't appear to be any pretence, what you see is what you get, just three guys making the music they want, how they want and doing a damn fine job of it.