In today’s music scene dominated by bands in search of instant gratification and success, it can be unusual for an act to reach its fifth birthday, rare for one to see out a decade and even rarer still (bar the obvious exceptions) for bands to hit the 20 or 30 year milestones. This week sees the return of veteran US west coast punks 7Seconds with their first new album in nine years. And based on the evidence of ‘Leave A Light On’, the band are still going strong.
7Seconds have clearly lost none of their attitude or punk rock smarts in the years between releases; ‘Leave A Light On’ is a gloriously unashamed and unabashed return to the sort of punk record that has become an increasingly endangered beast since the turn of the millennium. Forget the overproduced sheen that has become the fall back of too many a punk producer, don’t be expecting any boy meets girl fails to get girl and whines about it lyrics, or poetic introverted tales of ruined towns and post teenage life either. Basically forget the staples of the genre of recent years and rejoice in how things used to be.
This is strictly grab a power chord, smash the bejesus out of it, throw on some simple but effectively upbeat and jarring four or five note riffs and complete with liberal quantities of gang vocals and shouty lead vocals. It may not be hugely clever, but it is bloody great fun. The air of good natured anarchy and the relentless energy is infectious, the straight to the point lyrics instantly memorable. 7Seconds leave the listener in no doubt that this is punk as it was always meant to be and that just because you get older there is no reason to let the chaotic rebellious streak die.
‘Slogan On A Shirt’ provides an early highlight taking a wry swipe at the current generation of travelling T-Shirt Salesman bands, revelling in the simple honest message of being happy and to enjoy spreading positivity. ‘Thirty Years And Still Going Wrong’ sees 7Seconds celebrating their longevity and position as punk rock’s older hands, even if some of the domesticity of life has had to sneak in.
On title track ‘Leave A Light On’, 7Seconds ease the pace just a little and give a nod to their more melodic straight up rock and roll side, toning down the distortion and letting more rounded riffs and solos take the fore. ‘Heads Are Bound To Roll’ is an emphatic slice of bratty punk that celebrates the band’s life “being vocal, opinionated with a dash of heart and soul”, that in one sentence sums up both the album and punk rock in its purest form.
Go and have a listen to ‘Leave A Light On’, it might not be refined, it certainly isn’t clever or pretentious, but it sure as hell will brighten your day.
4/5
‘Leave A Light On’ by 7Seconds is out now on Rise Records.
7Seconds links: Facebook|Twitter
Words by Dane Wright (@MrDaneWright)
