7. Beach Slang – A Loud Bash of Teenage Feelings

Something nags away at the back of my mind with Beach Slang. The romance of wasted youth, drenched in alcohol, glorious guitar distortion and punk rock as it was meant to be. I dunno, it can all just seem a little too perfect sometimes. Lyrics like “When I found rock n’ roll none of it mattered, I knew I was alright” and song titles like ‘Wasted Daze of Youth’ are pushing the boundaries of cliché are they not? Then it all swings back to these glorious songs and their sincerity (and there’s absolutely no doubt Beach Slang’s James Alex comes across as sincere as they come) and it all feels right again.

There’s no surprises on this record and if you’re a Beach Slang fan you probably didn’t want any. ‘Atom Bomb’ is yet another perfect Beach Slang song and it’s just one of many on both this and their previous records. Beach Slang are one of those bands that will grow and grow. They’ll continue to build the kind of fanbase that will idolise them, get tattoos of lyrics and logos, lie in bed at night and dream of being in this band playing in a small, sweaty basement club. This record will not slow that process down one little bit. If you’re in, you’re in for the long term with this lot. I’m going to start ignoring that nagging voice in my head and just go with it, the songs are simply too good so let’s enjoy it with carefree abandon. Where’s my nearest tattoo shop?

Martin Wilson