Album Review

Bad For Lazarus – Old Rats On A New Ship

• 11th Dec 2009

Cold War Kids appreciating blues rock grime with a bit of an urban streetwise twist, provides for the potentially attention grabbing debut single from the at times, blasé then grinding Rich Frownes fronted quintet, Bad For Lazarus.

Gruelling percussion pushed ambience provided courtesy of the adept percussionist Steve Wattis, opens the gate for the grimy guitar and slowly whining, but demonstrative vocals. For brief but highly noticeable moments, ‘Old Rats On A New Ship’ has the impact of the Beastie Boys on sedatives. It certainly captures a maudlin reflection that is the seed of good blues rock.

B-side ‘Kemptown Animal’, keeps diversity at the fore by using a rustic key led, almost orchestral vibe to lead the way up to the glam teasing grunge veined vocal punch. Frownes delivers the arrogant lyrics with a recklessness that features a gruff undercurrent;

“I’m gonna kill you all; take home every girl.”

A jaunty alternative act has been born, how much they will grow is as yet unknown, but it is a healthy start.