The Twang - If Confronted Just Go Mad

“Your face, your race, the way that you talk”

Birmingham’s The Twang return today with ‘If Confronted Just Go Mad’, their first album in five years! Mixed by Mint Royale’s Neil Claxton, a guest appearance from Polar Bear and two new female members of the band, would this be a great rebirth?

Lead single ‘Everytime’ suggests it might just be. Sonically, they’ve always had a connection with sunnier climates, whether it be the jangle of ‘Subscription’ or the Mondays inspired ‘Cloudy Room’. However, on ‘Everytime’, with new band member Cat Mctigue shining like a star, they’ve tapped into the cool crisp soul of the 80s. This is poolside cocktails magic.

As the album grows, it becomes apparent, this is perfect blend of update and re-connection rather than Ziggy to Aladdin Zane reinvention. ‘Time Waits’, takes the debuts exuberance and channels it via carnival beats. Meanwhile, ‘Lovin’ State’ has the romanticism and guitar jangle of ‘Jewellery Quarter’. What they both share is, an older head delivering them. A humbleness permeates the lyrics. An appreciation of family and friends and that love is all you need are prevalent throughout.

‘Dream’, arguably the best example of everything they were and all that they will be. Etheridge’s Shaun Ryder via Mike Skinner vocal delivery collides with the indomitable groove of the Roses’ ‘Fools Gold’. Then Cat Mctigue vocals lend a devilishly joyous fresh impetus. Anyone not raising a wry smile at ‘Morrissey, he is still just Stephen’ is a humour vacuum.

‘It Feels Like You’re Wasting My Time’ witnesses their archetypal shimmering guitars and soaring vocals, but, with this measured approach, they bring a new sense of identity. Lyrically, despite obviously being a personal tale, fans will be hard pressed not to give way to feelings of angst The Twang (and their peers) were too readily discarded by the industry.

As Phil Etheridge sings ‘I give you everything sweat tears blood…it feels like I’m wasting my time’, thoughts of The Enemy, Glasvegas, Reverend & The Makers, The Rifles and The Courteeners great bands, all maligned will come to the surface. Despite this, Etheridge offers a way through:

 “It seems like we’re aint out time / I see now, you aint on my side”

With hooks like this, and younger audiences alive with excitement for DMAs, Gerry Cinnamon and The Shambolics, not only is The Twang’s return well timed, it seems heaven sent to unite generations of outsiders.

Shed Seven – Room In My House

“There’s room in my house for love and affection”

As there is in the hearts of thousands of Sheds fans rapidly selling out their biggest ever UK tour. Bigger news than this though, they’re back with new material for the first time since 2001’s overlooked ‘Truth Be Told’.

So, does their new single bring a mature jazz enthused sound ready for coffee shops? God no! Thankfully, it bristles with the swagger of their 1996 album ‘Maximum High’. Middle age has brought a rich depth to their archetypal sound though. The influence of soul via the thunderous guitars of Stone Roses’ ‘Second Coming’ rips its way through this banger.

Quite where they found these guitar parts and solos from in middle age we’re not sure. Fuelled by youthful angst, escapism, and a sense of utter debauched chaos, this is the soundtrack to all sticky floored indie night clubs this weekend!

So often with older bands, they explore the niche avenues of their influences to keep themselves amused, meanwhile, the sales dip and live crowds bugger go for a piss and leave disgruntled muso’s behind them. Shed Seven however, are firm proof that, if the magic dries up, leave the song writing alone until it returns. If this single is anything to go by, the album is likely to be of their highest quality, much like Martin Rossiter’s (Gene) ‘Destination of St Martin’ in 2012.