So we were contacted by Mike from Crapsons with news of a new release. We had to investigate further and delved we did! For those not in the know, The Crapsons are Mike on bass/vocals and Andy on drums/vocals.
On offer are two tracks from this Wirral based duo from their forthcoming release that has been labelled as a double single. This will be released digitally at the end of August, the 24th to be exact then out on CD on 7th September via Society Of Losers Records. Tracks one and two below are the planned digital releases on 24th, tracks three and four are already available in digital format and will be included on the CD release on 7th September.
So onto the first listen (for me) of these tracks......
First offering is the delightfully titled "Clotheslined By A Nun". A no nonsense intro, straight in, no fancy shenanigan's to begin the song. Immediate reaction is how much this track sounds like Australian stalwarts the Cosmic Pyschos. Steeped with that grungy guitar sound (or rather bass put through effects pedals). The medium pace song motors along rather nicely, a couple of neat little pauses during the song then it's back to business as usual. Just as your head starts bopping along to it again, it comes to a rather abrupt halt. A rather sublime number that will want you to listen to the next track with eager anticipation. This song also features guest vocals from the rather mysteriously unknown who is credited as 'The Wildcard'.
Which leads on to "Shed Talk". A bar of heavily distorted bass opens up then the drums kick in. It carries on from where the first track left us.... A tad slower this but a very catchy, almost hypnotic bass line drives the music forward. The simple drum beat sits in very nicely as we continue the journey with The Crapsons, exploring their exploits in the world of garage punk/grunge. Another fine tune, sometimes simplicity is best and here is a fine example of that. Why use five chords when three will do? For me this is the best track out of the four, very, very infectious!
Another delightfully named song "Who'll Babysit The Goths" is track three. Is this the band showing their sense of humour here? A clean bass line kicks off the track before the usual distortion is introduced again. Some clever double tracking is utilised as I suspect there are at least two concurrent bass lines running, or is it my old ears detecting that? Is there a wee bass solo thrown in there too? Anyway lets explore the track a bit more. This song delivers, just like the other two so far. The bass line is a bit more busier and is complimented with aplomb again by the simple but very affective drum track. No fancy drum rolls here and why should there be? As the two instruments and musicians compliment each other very well. Again adding strength to the argument that you don't need a plethora of chord changes and manic 'off-beat' drumming with weird timings to create and write good music. A band I can think of who were exponents of this are Jesus And Mary Chain and in some ways, The Crapsons are in that vein, not necessarily sounding like them but with the same ethos. "You Don't Know When You're Gonna Die" is track four of four and from the lyrical content, it's tells the story of how life is. Or how it can be percieved to be, how it should be or how it shouldn't be? Once more the duo deliver. Another very, almost somniferous, hypnotic bass line. I found myself closing my eyes and letting the music wash over me in swathes, the drums once again providing the back beat. The tempo increases ever so slightly with the chorus grabbing your attention with it's 'hook'. It's like you're dangling on the end of a fishing line but you don't want to wriggle free. Instead, you're drawn in, ensnared and trapped, offering no resistance. A very fine song to draw an end to The Crapsons latest release.
Overall, I rate this very highly. I look forward to getting a copy of this when it is released on CD. Admittedly, this is the first time I have heard these guys but I'm very impressed. The Crapsons have added strength to the argument that keeping it simple can be very effective. This is by no means a criticism in any way, in fact the opposite. I doff my proverbial cap to The Crapsons. Hopefully, once this virus finally fucks off for good, I'll get to check these guys out live. Peace.
Words: DLW, Photos: RBY
Website: http://www.crapsons.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/crapsons