ALBUM REVIEW: More Kicks - Punch Drunk
More Kicks are a London based rock outfit who were formed in 2017 by vocalist James Sullivan whose career began in 2004 as a member of Ripcord. To date the band have released various singles, most of which featuring multiple tracks and their 2018 self-titled debut album. Latest album “Punch Drunk” follows lead singles ‘Animal’ and ‘Terminal Love’ which came out in August.
I must admit I nearly didn’t review or even listen to “Punch Drunk” as it arrived on my desk late last week when I already had a stack of other releases to get through but something about the cover art and the suggestion from the email that accompanied the album that it would be “right up our alley” convinced me to give it a try. If I’m honest I hoped I’d hate it to lighten my workload a bit but from the first track ‘Hurt Like Hell’ I knew it was going to be a cracking album totally deserving of a review!
The band mixes genres crossing from alt rock to punk to rock n roll, sometimes sounding modern while at others sounding straight out of the 60’s. There’s moments where I could hear The Jam and The Beatles while at others I could see similarities with The Hives, Libertines and Kaiser Chiefs.
What most got me about “Punch Drunk” is the feeling of More Kicks being a genuine, totally authentic, honest rock band. No frills, fancies or trying to reinvest the wheel, just three blokes playing the music they love. Every second of the oozes sincerity.
There's rawkus riffs, up-tempo guitars and impassioned vocals. There’s mosh pit starters, drinking music, happiness, sadness, anger, love and slower pensive moments. Basically “Punch Drunk” has it all and the delivery is faultless. I've listened to the record multiple times now and it gets better with every listen!
I adore the whole album but I want to take a moment to talk about a few of my favourites.
‘In Love’ starts with plodding drums and piercing guitars before bouncing into a wonderful upbeat Britpop-ish track with plenty of jangle. There’s lots of killer lead guitars too. It has a real lighthearted summer feel.
Single ‘Animal’ sounds like Pulp crossed with The libertines but with more crashing drums. The lyrics talk about how the human world is too much like hard work and being an animal would be much easier.
‘Seven Ways’ mostly has a melodic punk vibe reminiscent of The Buzzcocks although towards the end it downs tempo for a Beatles-esque moment.
‘Colour Me Stuperfield’ is a 60’s meets Britpop track comparable to The Kinks crossed with Cast. There’s a lovely simplistic feel. The vocals on this one are stunning and I love the guitar solo.
‘Good Enough’ would definitely be at home on a “Shine” compilation with its “What’s the Story” era Oasis sound.
I can’t unhear Puddle of Mudd’s ‘She Hates Me’ in the intro to ‘Phoney Middle Aged Art’.
Second single ‘Terminal Love’ reminds me a little of Northern Uproar with its jangling riff and catchy lyrics.
Finishing off the record is ‘Goodnight Goodnight’ with quiet Dyan style vocals. It brings the pace down nicely to end an album that has been a barrage of grit, passion and astonishing rock.
As you can probably already tell I really rate “Punch Drunk”. I've touched on a few of the songs but in truth there’s not a bad track in the album. More Kicks have put their hearts and souls into making a record that's truly likeable and highly listenable. You need the album in your life!
