Album Review

S.K.W.A.D – Big Mono

• 12th Apr 2008

Big Mono opens with ‘What Do You Want?’, exploding from a 3-second quiet riff to a powerful mass of drums and a memorable guitar riff slightly reminiscent of CKY, going into a catchy hook when the vocals start. Whilst the vocals are lost amongst the music a little in this track makes an excellent opener, ending with some good old fist-in-the-air punk shouts.

The follow-up is recommended playlist track ‘Fire In The Sky’, though whilst radio-friendly playability is recognisable it is not the best track on the record. That would have to go to (subjectivity considered) one of the next three tracks: ‘Pressure’, ‘Scars’ and ‘Shit Happens’ – three adrenaline filled songs mixing rock and punk to rouse the soul. This is most notable in ‘Scars’, the most punk-influenced track on the CD and one that is almost anthemic in its potential for a crowd favourite at live shows not unlike ‘Shit Happens’.

Closing track ‘Nemanja Vidic’ slows things down showing a different side to the band but not in a cheesy way. Whilst the change of pace could be refreshing and provide a good closer in that respect, with such a rowdy few tracks before it perhaps might have been better leaving the listener ‘pumped up’ as it were.

In conclusion, this e.p. is recommended for rock and punk fans alike or if you fancy going a step further why not check them out on their upcoming UK tour as certain tracks show great potential for translation to the live stage.