The Radicals – “One For The Ditch”
I once had the information that The Radicals were a group of sixties radicals who had once wanted to overthrow the government, and had then formed a musical outfit to overthrow the musical establishment we hold so dearly to our hearts.
When I found out that none of them had been born before the eighties that theory was diminished greatly (root, flat third, flat fifth).
Next I was keen that they were, in fact, musical radicals that played avante-garde experimental music with no time signatures and instead of playing ordinary instruments they played common household appliances (i.e a blender). And instead of vocals used taped collages of penguins during mating season.
Alas, this too proved to be false though how wonderful that would truly be.
But what did prove to be true is The Radicals are a trio who all three sing and describe themselves as “sweaty punk.”
I’ll go with that but they’re a bit like if you took The Clash, Green Day and an Oi band and mixed them in a common household appliance (i.e a blender), and made a sweet (meaning good), sweaty smoothie out of them.
Maybe the tag “punk’n’roll” is more apt as instead of being a pure hardcore band they play in a style more akin to The McGunks.
Either way The Radicals I know are a great live band, a lot of fun and especially with their new album- a band with a bunch of potent, passionate songs.
Let’s give a listen.
With the ringing guitar chords and two sets of vocal chords bellowing away “Heavy Branches” does make me think of some long lost Clash song exploding out on the airwaves. “Keep pushing on/ Keep barreling through.” Soon enough though we’re in an energy rush hardcore verse full of wooh-oh-oh’s and sustaining guitar chords. The last part slows down for a kind of drunken sing-a-long, “Swaying in the breeze/ It made me sick, but it did the trick.” And then this short gem of a song is over.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/03 Heavy Branches.mp3|titles=Heavy Branches]
“7 Cups of Coffee” has a kind of over-caffeinated, teeth grinding feel to it without being an overly fast song. There’s an intensity and urgency to the delivery that suggest emotions on edge, nerves exposed and thoughts scattered. “Home’s the last place I want to be…I know I should’ve called her/ The waitress takes my order (great rhyme!)…It’s because I want to stay awake…I kill myself for making mistakes.”Tight pounding drums, melodic bass lines and growly, passionate vocals steers this song along. “It seems the only thing I can do/ Is drink my shitty coffee and wait for you.” The beat pounds away until it drops off at the end and a plaintive voice with a lone guitar croaks, “I was trying to stay awake/ 6 in the morning is quitting time/ I go to bed and feel my heart break.” My favorite song on the CD.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/06 7 Cups of Coffee.mp3|titles=7 Cups of Coffee]
“The Worst Of Us” starts with a bass line all by its lonesome until some grinding guitars stroll in. Then it’s a modified Bo Didley jungle beat with some emphatic vocals until an abrupt stop silences it all. “It’s happening, it’s happening/ To the worst of us/ Worst of us/ And it’s happening, it’s happening again.” What it is is not explained but a chilly organ sprouts up during the chorus and soon this great, quick song is done.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/01 The Worst Of Us.mp3|titles=The Worst Of Us]
“Walking With Purpose” is included as an example of a new style for them on this CD, being slower and with a more thoughtful, lyrical side. “I never said I knew where I was going.” This song starts, from the first moment, with a moderate but intense beat. “There was never no way of knowing.” With its rough edged tenderness and gritty vocals it makes me think of The Replacements. “I’m walking with purpose/ Which no one else seems to see/ It’s all on the surface/ No identity.” Spooky background vocals then a melodic guitar line drops in. The songs moves on in a kind of majestic dignity leaving the barb-wired edges and barb-wired feelings intact. A song of someone stepping out on one’s own and taking your own path, along with music that is determined and true as one owns heart will always be.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/11 Walking With Purpose.mp3|titles=Walking With Purpose]
The Radicals have always been a fun punk band, playing mostly in a raw, raucous sounding hardcore style. Their gigs have always been characterized as high energy, passionate and over-the-top fun.
With their second album they keep their attributes- the excitement, the energy, the passion and add to that a more reflective side. Which caught me a bit by surprise, I must admit, but looking back at the first album with songs like “Six Feet Under,” I see, now, that it all makes sense.
And it all works and it’s made for a better album and probably, a better band than they were before. (Much better than overthrowing the government and making music with blenders).
An excellent move, it turns out and an excellent album by an excellent band.
(Slimedog)
