Red Rum Club - The Hollow Of Humdrum

Liverpool’s Red Rum Club follows 2019’s critically acclaimed ‘Matador’ with ‘The Hollow Of Humdrum’. The album is out now via Modern Sky UK.

‘Matador’ hit great highs (‘Angeline’ and ‘Would You Rather Be Lonely?’) but, it also fell flat (‘Calexico’ and ‘Casanova’). ‘The Hollow if Humdrum’ is a different animal altogether. Like a Charlatans album, it’s remarkably consistent throughout.

There is a striking vitality pulsating throughout. ‘Kids Addicted’ is bursting at the seams with Dexy’s pop radiance and the guile of The Coral. Meanwhile, ‘Vivo’ rattles along like a melodic bull in a China shop. In the year Ennio Morricone sadly passed away, it seems fitting Red Rum Club has fused his epic western soundscapes with their brand of punk.

In the past five years, Blossoms have been torchbearers for bands writing bona fide pop classics again. Red Rum Club is now hotly in pursuit with ‘Ballerino’, Eleanor’, and ‘Dorado’. ‘Ballerino’ cuts loose like Miles Kane but, with the more welcoming nodes of Orange Juice. ‘Eleanor’, is beset with the electro-pop romance of Robyn and is the greatest reinvention of a name you’ll ever hear. Whereas, ‘Dorado’ is a turbulent and unrelenting adventure set to ride off into the sunset.

In an era where albums seem to matter less, Red Rum Club has delivered one of the true classic opening tracks. ‘The Elevation’, combines their knack of writing party songs with a rock ‘n’ roll’s desperation to be heard. From the vocal cadence to the synth solo, it solicits your adoration.

‘The Hollow Of Humdrum’ is not a classic but, like a ‘Tellin’ Stories’, Tellin Stories’, ‘A Maximum High’ or ‘Life’, it’s will remain close to the hearts of many for decades to come.

Red Rum Club - Matador

The Liverpool six-piece released their debut album 'Matador' on the impeccable Modern Sky label (The Blinders & Calva Louise) earlier this month.

It's a real album of two halves. The free-flowing euphoria of the first half screams single after single before, sadly petering out. Nevertheless, their peers will have to go far to match the anthem-heavy first 6 songs.

'Angeline' is a tour de force of their home city Liverpool. Vocally, frontman Fran Doran has channelled The Zutons' Dave McCabe whilst the guitarists have found their inner Will Sergeant. The most striking aspect comes from the Midlands though. The Dexys inspired soul is warmingly rousing.

The use of brass is key to the album’s success and failures. It adds richness to 'Would You Rather Be Lonely?' and 'TV Said So', giving the true stand-out moments. The former takes the crisp soul of The Style Council and the playful side of The Coral's early work on this tale of battling loneliness. It's a song, so empathetic in nature, it could only come from the good people of their great city. 'TV Said So', continues on a similar vein James Skelly-esque vocals and the sumptuous guitar licks and wobbles.

However, in the latter stages, the brass becomes overpowering and disjointed on the Latin and Mexican grooves of 'Calexico' and 'Casanova'. The every-man soul and pop prowess disintegrate but, you cannot deny that Red Rum Club is shackle-free and willing to take chances.

Ultimately, 'Matador's cons are so few they pale into significance. This album is so well stocked in bangers that, it has the potential of a two-year run on the album charts.