THE VERMIN POETS –
POETS OF ENGLAND (DAMAGED GOODS)
Featuring a band
line-up photograph that would suggest medieval music, my initial concerns and
reservations are soon put aside as The Vermin Poets turn out to be a much more
charging rock proposition than I was expecting. This band features Billy Childish after all.
Away from the usual
Childish take on garage rock this record is something of a sumptuous hybrid of
almost British Invasion bands exhibiting snide mannerisms and looping
sensibilities. In other words,
individuals that dabbled in punk rock.
Fronted by his long
time cohort and former Fire Dept member Neil Palmer this album sees Childish
taking something of a back seat, taking on the bass duties rather than guitar,
focusing more on the vocal message of proceedings, the poetry of the piece.
It is certainly a
tough time to be a poet. I cannot
possibly imagine a time where derision could be any higher for artists of the
form while equally the reputation of the form has been tarnished irrecoverably. These guys truly have their work cut out for
them.
The cover reads:
“Heirs of glory,
Heroes of unwritten
story,
Rise like lions after
slumber,
In unvanquishable
number,”
And all in all that
pretty sums up the attitude attached to the outfit, one where its tongue is
firmly lodged in its cheek. It’s a
lark; it’s a fucking lark. A lark with
a purpose.
The twelve track album
opens with “Spartan Dregg”, which already appears to be a new and forthcoming
music persona for the group. This is an
act proud to be Spartan.
As the record
progresses the highlights are “Baby Booming Bastards”, which is a casual rant
and tirade aimed someone (the targets are never necessarily clear). Later the flighty “She’s Got Ears” seals the
deal with its subtly glorious hook and infectious glow.
Eventually the track
“Vermin Poets” attempts to introduce and explain what the outfit is all
about. The facts remain clear as mud.
All in all with the
injection of Palmer, this is the liveliest and most adventurous Billy Childish rock
release in a long time.
Smash.
Thesaurus moment:
bard.
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