Full length album 2006 in jewel case and 8 page booklet.
DEFIANT CD – UK SPECIAL EDITION full length 2006 album in jewel case with booklet.
The band’s prevailing themes are still very much old school punk rock, revolving heavily around political rebellion and personal expression. This comes out right up front. The album opens up with the driving “Voice Of The People” and it’s pointed line “Freedom of speech is against the law. Now we’re all Criminals.” It’s quickly followed by the catchy “Britain Is Still Burning,” which calls out the fact that even though punk rock may have made it into the mainstream, there is still a stronghold of “true punk rockers” that follow the rebellious ideas of the political side of punk rock.
The music, however, is much tighter than in the old days. This latest incarnation of Vice Squad is tight, and while they flirt with metal riffs and guitar solos, there is never any way you would hear a song and think for a moment this was anything but a punk band.
There are tons of great songs on this album. The melodic anthem, “Don’t Let the B***ards Grind You Down” has all of the qualities of a true old school anthem, with all of its message and energy, paired with a chorus that will easily get a crowd pumping its collective fist. “Defiant” has a catchy riff that reminds me a bit of “Summertime Blues” for a moment, and then digs deep into an ’80s-era punk hook and yet-another fist-pumping chorus.