Album Review

Citizens – CTZNS

• 27th Jul 2012

CTZNS is the debut album from a young Glasgow hardcore trio. With a great deal of live experience and good radio support for two EP releases, this first full length release builds well on that solid foundation. Recorded in one day by playing all of the songs live at the Lofi Studio in Glasgow, there is an excellent energy to the music throughout.

Habitual Smoker Blues, a great song title to open the album, begins with a burst of feedback before the song starts. The drums pound, the bass thunders and the guitar picks out a fine melody. Then the vocals kick in, hardcore style. It’s really more of a scream, or rather a low pitched roar, than singing.

Now I’m not a particular fan of this type of vocal delivery, but Craig McIntyre, who handles the guitar as well as lead vocals, is pretty good at it. He varies his tone and projects a great deal of emotion, rather than simply trying to bellow as loud as possible, as some hardcore vocalists seem to do.

There are several other good tracks on the album. Try Harder with twin lead vocals creates a menacing effect. Woollen Mammoth again has some good guitar work. And the instrumental Hats Off To Phil Differ is a fine rock song, high energy and dramatic. It fairly races along, propelled by some great drumming by Dean Inglis.

The closing seven minute long Distance Blues is another fine song, perhaps the pick of the album. A fast pace and a fine display of power chords gives it a manic quality, although a slower middle section adds variety before hitting full throttle once more.

There are a few shorter tracks on the album. New Punks is, as the name would suggest, basically a punk song. A brief and angry 49 seconds of sheer energy. Penance is slightly longer at just over two minutes and uses change of pace well. Interlude also lives up to its name, a minute or so of softer guitar music.

The bass rumbles ominously in the intro to Heavy Breather, giving a great effect. Oblivion also starts with some great bass work from Owen Batchelor before the heavy riffs come in. Old Flame takes a while to get going, with stop-start guitar and a spoken word portion before it bursts into hardcore life.

The cumulative effect of the eleven tracks is ultimately pleasing. Citizens have a tight delivery and clear musical talent, and use it to create a massive sound. But there is also finesse to go along with the raw power and they make it work well. If hardcore is your thing then this is definitely a band to check out.