New music
Gurriers have been creating a stir both with their explosive live shows and on the airwaves, picking up playlists on BBC Radio6 for most notably singles ‘Des Goblins’ and ‘Top Of The Bill’. The Dublin based five-piece have released their debut album ‘Come And See’ on new label No Filter. Recorded in Leeds at the Nave with Alex Graves the title comes from the movie of the same name, a visceral, dark war movie. ‘Come And See’ is a thrilling ride, sharp melodic punk delivered with vibrancy and passion.
‘Nausea’ is a perfect opener. This is old school punk, all scratchy guitars and pounding drums before the vocal of Dan Hoff kicks in at a pitch worthy of anything created in 1977. Inspiration is taken from Jean Paul Sartre’s novel of the same name. “It’s a problem that they all have” is spat out with such disdain. This is followed by ‘Des Goblin’ with its Eastern mystic twang of guitar and bass. The track references how modern narcissism is fueled by an addiction to online personas, and the bouncing energy takes a moment’s pause midtrack before slowly winding up again. The echoey build is thrilling and top speed, when it inevitably arrives, is impossible to ignore, reflecting perhaps the contemptuous attitude towards social media.
By now it’s obvious that ‘Come And See’ is going to ooze with frustrations. ‘Dipping Out’ describes the disillusionment of youth leading to emigration and hence “all my friends are dipping out”; while ‘Prayers’ opens with one of the most memorable lines on this album “Now the Pope says his prayers to those empty rows of chairs.” Lyricist Hoff admits he had always wanted to write a song about Catholic guilt in Ireland but make it more universal in its approach. The song is a highlight, epic in scale it’s the longest track and midway it shifts pace, the guitars creating a soundscape which complements the vocal beautifully. Here Gurriers have produced a song breathtaking in its emotional power.
‘Close Call’ takes us straight back into classic punk territory but with the band’s own interpretation, all anxiety ridden guitars and pounding drums before an abrupt finish. ‘No More Photos’ provides another standout lyric line: “Gentlemen, no fighting in the bathroom please. You’ve all been caught doing too many Es”. Class.
Gurriers have the foresight to provide a moment of calm with the instrumental breather ‘Interlude’ also demonstrating their versatility. It’s a surprising, and welcome, minute of calm from a band known for their raucous music. This flows into ‘Top of the Bill’ which is a little slower paced, followed up by ‘Sign of the Times’ and ‘Approachable’. This trifecta of singles back-to-back illustrates that not all music inspired by anger and frustration has to sound the same. The earworm guitar riff which dominates ‘Top Of The Bill’ is followed by the funky bassline of ‘Sign of the Times’, and finally the scuzzy no-holds barred ‘Approachable’. Ben O’Neill (guitar, backing vocals), Mark MacCormack (guitar) and Charlie McCarthy (bass) give Gurriers the sonic backbone combined with the relentless furious drumming of Pierce Callaghan.
The title track closes out ‘Come And See’ and it creates a sense of peace, a breakaway from the mayhem. It’s essential to find an escape from the turmoil of reality, and TV, movies and music can give the brain a rest from the overwhelming sense of hopelessness. Gurriers have absolutely considered the flow of their debut album. Taking inspiration from their observations of our contemporary world, they have created a debut album which blasts forth, poking a finger into the hornets’ nest of modernity. No question we’ll all feel so much better sticking ‘Come And See’ in our ears, and I highly recommend dancing like no-ones watching.
8/10
Words: Julia Mason
Related: Taking A Stand: Gurriers Interviewed
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