Punk Pop Indie Fun
You only have to look at the track lengths of Popular Workshop’s debut to know that you’re in for a barrage of punchy pop punk anthems that will come thick and fast and take no prisoners. From the chaotic instrumental fervour of, 'Freak Le Freak, Aka The Freakster' to lazy vibes of, ‘Villians Who Twirl Their Moustaches Are Easy To Spot’, Popular Workshop take you on a raucous ride through their wired world of art-disco.
The guitars are brash and ballsy with fractious melodies and simple but passionately spoken lyrics that speak of rock n’roll strife; “I woke up very early feeling dirty from the night before", and love, “I fell in love for the first time”, but it’s all quick hits of beats and feelings and quite soon the lyrics have twisted to, “I don’t want to fall in love”. Neither the tunes nor the lyrics are rocket science, but they’re immediate and gripping and defy you not to get to your feet.
If you’re after something a little melodic and more radio friendly, start off with, ‘Reptilians’ which matches guitar jabs and overlapping vocals that all fizz into a pleasant indie chorus. There are some really stonking pop songs on this album that hit you with hefty hooks and just never let go. However punk is also firmly alive in tunes like, ‘Radical’ which is a frenetic blur of aching, fierce guitars and yelped vocals that climax in a driving chorus and ‘Channels’ which draws swirling space sounds into the angry beats and tight percussion. Popular Workshop have a vital and irresistible energy that blazes through their taught tunes and makes this short album a great listen, especially if you’re getting ready for a night out.
‘We’re Alive And We’re Not Alone’ packs an instant punch with tunes that you could come back to again and again in any mood. Get your pop rock kicks right here.