A Lot on My Crate

I came here for the dogs, but then I stayed for the music. So, I was browsing noise rock outfits in Bandcamp and the cover art drew me in. So, this stayed on my wish list and after a couple of listens after its release, I am hooked. There’s not much information about this band from Bristol, UK that I could find. Only this Instagram page, I was able to find information on them, which I’m glad I found with such haphazardness and was able to scrape off any pride for myself to support any small bands. But regardless of how popular they are, they have this punk energy to them and proves they got what it takes to be up in the echelon of punk rockers right at the start of their first track, “Unhappy People”. This album is loud and empowering just like many of the songs in this album with their riffs and their vocals. So, despite my small understanding of punk rock, I still say give this one a shot. It’s short, yet anything but sweet.

I said this opening track is absolutely a banger, but I cannot for the life of me place where I heard these types of vocals before, despite it being on the tip of my tongue. But frontwoman Elinor Rebecca Godwin, sounds like a banshee who is going to absolute war. The stunning loud anthem is an open invitation to anyone wanting to escape from the mundane, the banality, and the routine. A rocking first start. I love the grungy riffs in “Signs” along with this tingy synthesizer in the background. Godwin sounds like the cavalry has arrived to send the rage back at the people who have hurt her. A great tune for anyone who wants to vent and muster their courage. I loved the direction of Godwin’s vocals sounds like it’s falling apart to know she’s in pain, but the anger is there. She wants them to feel it. I absolutely love the unhinged yodeling in “So I’m Told”. This song is a powerhouse that my body feels like it can’t take it anymore.

We get to Godwin sounding like a zombie with a drunken stupor with minimal instrumentals at the beginning, but she sounds just as irritated as she explodes in the chorus. I do like how mocking she sounds in some of the way she enunciates a couple of words. She has really impressive vocal chops when you hear the isolated part at the end. Then we get to my favorite song, “It’s Only Love”. I could listen to this one for hours. It has a good dynamic arc to it and shows the singer has emotional range. However, the riffs in the chorus, while simple, yet is so catchy while Godwin goes into cavalry mode to arm ourselves. Even the outro of “It’s Only Love” is an emotional impact. “Now You Say” goes into a manic episode with the guitar two-chord sequences going absolutely bonkers with Godwin sounding theatrical.

We get to an okay act three of the LP with Godwin going into a Betty Boop impression in “Forget”, which sounds like a lounge number until we get get reminded of where we are, when she wants to forget. Last highlight for me was the closer, “I Don’t Like You”. She doesn’t like you, but I like this song. Hahaha. It’s the appropriate closer to have these haunting background vocals that assist this angry misanthrope.

The record is fun however, there are some parts I felt like I was just tapping my feet and head bobbing to some parts and not really resonating with many parts of the album. Some moments kind of dragged on for me like “Forget” or the riffs weren’t as strong like “State of That” or having a weak chorus. The first half the album is very good compared to the second half for me, unfortunately.

Only Love is an album that does its job to make you head bang at the pit. This album doesn’t overstay its welcome and does what good punk albums do, make their statements. I do wish there’s an online lyric sheet, since the vocals are understandably buried in the mix in this punk energy. It deserves its own lyric sheet. This album is a banger! Boisterous bands like these need to exist for my sanity while standing on this desolate rock. So, it’s safe (or not) to pump that fist into the air, because Only Love delivers exactly what it advertised. Get a bite out of this!

FAVORITE TRACKS: UNHAPPY PEOPLE, SIGNS, SO I’M TOLD, IT’S ONLY LOVE, I DON’T LIKE YOU

LEAST FAVORITE: STATE OF THAT

You can purchase this album on Bandcamp and their discography is also available for streaming.

https://peachband.bandcamp.com/album/only-love