Thinking man’s music borne from proud hearts and humble souls.  There is no fuckin' about here, Northern folk with good intent and fed up with many areas of life being ruined by greed, the seeking of power and the selfishness that seems to be all pervasive.  A cry for quality, a good deal for all and a brighter future - it is really that simple.  The players know their noise and ply their trade with poetical prowess and a very approachable manner.  I received this CD via an email message, I had a listen and was instantly smitten.  Cultured, refined and fuckin' real, I purchased a copy and wanked out the following words.

We begin with '21st Century Bullshit Detector' - and what a marvellous start it is!  Rampant, pertinent, fluent and ruddy needed in these times of tossbag tricksters and huff and puff shysters. The flow is grabbing, the articulation of the message exact and done with a mix of acidity, rhythm and poetical goodness.  There is a real punked edge as well as a great disgruntlement that sets the stage for a CD I am now expecting to be something special.  This is an outstanding start and has me nominating this for 'Song of the Month' on my website - I hope that rubberstamps my feelings on this beauty.  

A few quick thumps, a nice 'clashy' lick and into the wholesome and welcoming 'Born In The North, Die In The North'.  This is a song of the streets, a gentler song when compared to the first but with as much wallop and impact.  The chorus is a sing-a-long joy, the dulcet tones of the recognisable frontman a honest pleasure and the words matter and are delivered with hearts beating with defiance and pride.  The music has many flavours of influenced hues and the overall arrangement is one of those songs you can't find fault with.  This can be sung anywhere and in these divided times - so it fuckin' well should be.

The slow beauty of 'The Dirty Empire' unwinds and comes across as a great impacting piece that shows a solid disgust at the flag-flying idiocy that is growing all around us.  Fuck all flags, fuck all divisions and fuck all the bastards looking to feel better at the expense of someone else - that is all I can add.  I admire this composition for many reasons, I like the coolness of the approach when dealing with subject matter that is enough to blow the top of your noggin off. Yes, the failing continues and a few good folk are bemused - my advice, play this gem loud and think about your stance.   'Leviathan' follows, has a considered approach and has a lengthy word spill of erudite care that assesses the state of play in a world falling apart at the seams and becoming a fully-fledged New World Order.  The sadness in the tones, the almost hopeless acceptance and the thoughtful prose are all posted through the cranial letterbox with a matter-of-fact manner that somehow disarms.  Have we really slipped so far into the doldrums?  Are we really so gullible and stupid?  Democracy is dead, the few fight for any semblance of space and shackle-free living - the verbals unfold and I think we have a song that will always be apposite and will grow in flavour like any considered vintage.

'What Have We Become' almost sums up the whole feeling of this CD - a real disillusioned and disgruntled piece awash with disbelief?  A smooth rise, a quest for a better place and an arrangement that is as simple as needed and with a layered goodness that comes into its own when the chorus caresses and helps to reinforce some glimpse of salvation.  The message is also simple - just stay strong folks.  A very unidealistic song with both feet on the turf and relaying its point with a prosaic practicality - the band do it well.  The dark and sombre moribund tones of 'Back To The Factory' are a tribute to a band and a frontman who need no introduction.  A joyless episode in some ways, victim to discordant divisions in others but a moment in time that has left a lasting impact and legacy.  This sober and bleak episode is homage to a unique creative force that came, went and hopefully... made a fuckin' difference.  The orchestration and obvious emanations are all spot on and make for an unexpected and yet absorbing listen - tidy!

We travel further into the depths of a marvellous creation with 'Router 66' - a smooth and swaying design that is perfectly lain down and with a subtle emotive force that takes hold of the senses, leads them to places abandoned and now desolate and with a life-laden past buried and just a memory.  There is an oceanic persuasiveness that comes in slow winning waves that really causes one to stagger back and take stock.  The more one listens the more one notes the unity of the players, the harmonising wonder and the overall winning beauty of a song well done.  Boom!  From here we have a folky sing-a-long that praises the Wigan Diggers/True Levellers  founder Gerard Winstanley.  Winstanley was a defier of the destructors and the cash-seeking cretins and duly strove to keep the land pure and unblemished.  This is a fine green-tattooed piece with historical depth that shows the progress we think we are making is nothing more than regression.  The fat cat fuckheads are blinkered and limited in intelligence, self comes first but their words are weaved to tell a different tale.  I am warmed by this gem, my hope that there are some free-thinking selfless souls out there is reborn, we all must join in and just do a little bit more.  Thanks to the crew for reminding me of our priorities and the stubborn bugger who did his bit! 'Diggers Of The World Unite' for sure!

Stubborn and heavy tones come as 'Deliver Us From Evil' unfolds as a rebellious prayer that deals with a scandal that once again sees big wigs profit, the vulnerable get hammered and justice shy away from its responsibility.  A sharp acidic splash with a real vicious snarl of disgust that is kept in check thus avoiding the formulated foul-mouthed rant that would rather negate the prowess and passion of the piece.  It is a feisty beast for sure and adds a nice daub of clashing colour to matters.  Lighter tones unfold with the more cultured and matter-of-fact essences that make up the jingle that is 'Jubilee'.  A realists appraisal of a ludicrous situation were people get conned, swallow the shit whilst those detached live it up and dwell in blinkered bliss (or 'piss' if you are more observant).  The rot continues, some are struggling and the streets are laden with cracked celebrations whilst the u-bend beckons.  Somehow, despite the content, the ditty has an upbeat musical score that hops and skips along as escort to the rather flabbergasted and disgusted word weaver - it makes for another intriguing listen.

3 to go and I crack the whip against my own assessing arse with the hope of keeping you intrigued.  'The Punch And Judy Show' is a fine rolling account of another farce, a tale of a flimsy facade that gives the appearance of all being well and good but duly hiding a horror act that is all too prevalent.  Honest and insightful and very fluent with a superb clarity that allows us to become involved.  As we head to the final stretch we need to quality to be maintained and that is the case here.  'Got Each Other'  says what it is and rolls along with a  warmth, a positivity and a real comforting comradeship.  Look, there is little to add here, as a man who appreciates the beautiful simplicities of life this is a sure-fire winning number all the way, delivered by good folk who are off their rears, doing and trying to remind people of the important things in life.  No matter where you are or how low you get remember folks, there are some good folk out there willing to help, natter and just nudge ye along.  Stay focused, stay true to yourself, be good, keep trying and never be afraid to reach out.  Play this loud when you are low, it will pick you up no end.

We finalise with a complete juxtaposition to the previous track.  'Countdown' is a rapid-fire urgency that assaults the senses with a sober reality and open-eyed take on this world that is on the brink.  A good old fashioned punky thrust with straight-ahead verses, a repeatoid rhythm and a chunky chorus that slaps home.  The CD started on a booming note and signs off on an equally effective number.  Well-played, perfectly balanced, gruff and with some solid skids and shuffles - all observant of a hell-hole created by a human mush who should know better (and still fuckin' don't).

My thoughts are of a great CD dished out by erudite folk who think, consider and most importantly 'do'.  I am very thrilled by this, it is angry, poetical, insightful and laden with great frustration.  The composition of each track radiates nouse and the overall blend is ideal methinks - my titfer is tilted in acknowledgement of a fuckin' reet grand do! 

A recent Welsh Wankers Invasion saw me come across many usual faces in different guises and a couple of bands that I hadn't seen before.  One of these was Rumbrave, a band I had heard the name of but one that had not registered on the Fungal sensors.  They came, they played, they buggered off and left me... fuckin' mightily impressed.  Wow and I mean wow!  It was a treat and I was also given a 4 track EP to savour which I said I would review (hence the textual ticklings here).  I have taken my time due to being overly stretched and not willing to rush out any old codswallop.  Here are the thoughts of honesty, integrity and Fungally threaded intention.

Nah then, I was unsure as to how good matters would be as regards this CD due to the fact the band were so fuckin' good in the flesh.  I can't just make up false praise and I have to be honest at all times but by heck, the opening number here is a complete gem.  'Johnny's Shoes' rolls in on great emotive waves of sublime texture before cutting back and delivering a bass driven first verse that has a steady slap escort and solid vocals.  The six strung assistance comes, the song burns bright with a unique take on an accident and the blame that is casually thrown around.  There is something fascinating about taking something that appears inconsequential but when dissected reveals the failings of this human gunk.  The flow increases in the joy factor with the chorus cuts utterly mesmeric, the punchy tuneage a fine partner of cacophonic crimes and the overall mix perfectly blended.  The more I play the more invested and intrigued I become - what a moment!

'Forty Minutes' is of equal outstanding stature and deals with a call on the phone that left deeps scars and inescapable trauma.  The feeling behind the whole affair is tangible, the zeal poured in from all players and the vocal desire to release untold turmoil are all played out in a frighteningly effective manner.  The 'whoa hoas' help lighten the palette, the life given is something to behold and the unity between the players something to certainly put them in good stead with anyone willing to listen.  A strip down, an acoustic haunting invades and leads us by the hand into the final oblivion - a quite stunning track.

'Nowhere Town' is a tale of a man tied to the bottle and who refuse to change his ways.  We have all indulged, some though just seem to be lost causes and end up playing with fire and their very existence - it is all very sad.  The drilling wire work, the repeat tap and the feisty words could even be seen as a celebration of the piss-up but do not misread the message - take care folks.  This is a real stomping chomper that will devour your senses and have you absorbed with its distinct punky spunky edge and yet again, the watertight delivery.  A holler to 'just fuckin' do it' gets us thrown into some flamboyant guitarmanship and racing headlong further into the song.  Another less saturated respite and we hammer along, hopeless, doom laden and in a state that is what it is.  Another complete and satisfying explosion from a band of top notch merit.

The closure is the neatly constructed and very gothic acoustic arrangement of 'Forty Minutes'.  A rehash of that which has been and that which still haunts.  This final snippet shows that the band are coming in from different angles, willing to avoid the trappings of any strangling sub-scene and are quite adept at producing full-frontal subtleties.  The resonating hurt, the crushing tenderness of content and application all work. The inner desperation to release the ravaging ravens that peck at the soul and see them fly away once and for all are all donated forth with great care, conviction and classic DIY honesty.  Marvellous.

Well, I was worried that this CD would let me down, that it wouldn't match up to the belief borne from the virginal viewing I had recently partaken of.  How wrong I was!  This is one of the best EP's I have reviewed for a long time and it makes me quite ruddy happy to say so.  I am fucked, aging and burnt out in many ways but... the delight at the DIY depths is unsurpassable and people at this level, making music of such a standard without thought of coin, kudos and some kind of silly status, fuckin' matters.  Thank you chaps.  We go on... FOREVER and guys, keep these 4 track Volumes going - it will be a winning recipe for sure.

Another strange and scatter fuck splat of sound via a band of mystery and self-expression.  Volume 1 was devoured, digested, dealt with and dumped down from the assessing anus onto the great worldwide wankspread.  Does it all make any difference?  Are we so divided and absorbed in our own flimsy niches to be really making any impact?  It is a warped world but for me, if folk are doing things humbly and with good reason and not looking for coin, kudos and a pat on the back, therein beauty is found.

'Escaping' begins with heavy pulses, a scuttling underscore and a slow and steady rise before nervous scratches are issued and the spoken words come.  A multitude of scars are carved deep within a soul that is still recovering from early years trauma.  A sad and soul searching encounter played out with respectable honesty and unashamed admissions.  Bare boned and a demon beating deliverance with a cold and sober steadiness - this is a perverse intro into a very truthful essay of tonal clarity.  'Darkness' is a soft texture of sound with a blatant exposure of fear, reality and nervousness.  Despite the soft core of the sonica and the slow and sanguine motif the words that come invade and disrupt and are borne from a soul struggling, looking for answers and getting nowhere.  The contrasting juxtaposition of emotions and arrangements should not work but, the fact remains it does.  One can almost feel the head wank dogs run for cover as some semblance of sanity is achieved via a quite neat snippet.

'Echoes' is fine artistry with all realms barely touched and placed on the attentive canvas with gentleness and poetical consideration.  A youthful arising of multifaceted fears and trepidations that leads to a long term suffering from which there is no escape - all the while a control, a sedate care and a straitjacketed frustration seem to be the main ingredients all vying for attention but working in gratifying cahoots - a very sincere and winning inclusion.  'Stuck' begins with a real jive joy and a cock-sure strut that takes me to fresh assed ghettos where the dubious roam.  The song is a million miles away from this realm though where we get a lonely neglect confessed and an addiction exposed.  Honest and direct and done in just under 63 seconds - this is always a good way to keep folks interested - short, to the point and fluent - with added depths.  Nice!

'S. A. D.' is a twisted song with the content dealing with the downer delivered by the dreary but the opening sequence rather disco-fied and upbeat.  A nastiness and snarling frustration comes as the electro-agitation increases.  The clashing trashing of cerebral confoundedness all makes for a cruelty within the weave that does indeed work.  Fucked off and feeling low and the rains fall and the dark clouds grow - it is all a test of the mettle, thank goodness we have the powers of creativity.  A printing sequence, the data rolls and a self-deprecating admission comes.  'Commodity' has a funk bass, a computerised orchestration and a cold and unmoved vocal style.  A carcass crushed, is there any comeback?  From the last vestiges of tumultuous life comes flickerings uncanny and unsettling.  A grim piece that is almost flatlined.  This is one that fails to raise any erection of positivity but it is all part of the overall emotive plea.

'I Cried' resonates, it brings to the fore all the faces and fuckers who tried their best to suffocate the soul, to regiment the individual and to blanket any sign of uniqueness.  The opening soundbite works, the flow that comes is almost shackled and overwhelmed only just releasing itself via a very moribund snippet.  This and the ensuing 'Forsaken' are a draining duo with a distinct negativity taking the reins and not allowing for any respite or glimpse of hope.  I am touched but not to the point of being enthused - it is all distinctly moribund and the tones just lack an upbeat pop factor that would provide a needed contrast and ray of possible sunshine.

Next and retro digital escalations/de-escalations, subtle pumpings and inner beats with whispery vocals explaining the situation of 'Lost The Heart'.  This is a song that oozes frustration whilst seeking a place to find positivity and a response.  It seems as though a brick wall has been hit and there is no chance of progression.  The popping and sub-disco duality all help this penultimate track get by.  The closure comes via another quest, this time pasted down under the tag of 'Inner Peace'.  A slow gloopy piece that provokes thought and has us wondering if we ourselves are doing OK?  Are we repressing things, are we victims of scars not yet healed?  The black clouds loom heavy and this is a short and sable cutlet that signs us off into a silence that seems more and more ominous.  The intention is not to defraud or piss about with pseudo-happy-clappy codswallop - what you see is what you get - bare bollocked honesty.

Well, Volume 2 is done and I have 1 to go.  Is this music, is this something else?  There should be no questions as regards the emotion and the DIY aspects and if you can't use the audio platform to expose torment and suffering whilst being yourself then we are all truly fucked.  This isn't fun-time frivolity trying to win fans and it certainly isn't tick-box produce to boost sales - make of it what you will but do not deny the ethos and the depth of the content.