The second album since their 2023 reunion underlines everything that is great about the quartet. Four decades on, they stand as relevant as any of the newer upstarts from both here and the States. Badges is no nostalgia trip.
Around as C86 became prevalent, an early Creation signing and reverential platitudes from the next generations, this could easily be a paean to what has gone before, similar ages to myself, around at a time when music influenced me most, but this is none of that, because the whole listen reveals this to be an album that could be a debut now.
This is beautifully arranged and performed Indie Guitar Pop. Built on inspired riffs that mirror that late 80s scene, but with an intelligent lyrical bent, the songs are great story telling affairs. Instrumentally, they flirt with Paisley POP and the long gone IRS scene.
These are riffs to die for, never more so on the meandering Ex-Lovers And Long Lost Brothers. The twang on Goodbye Saturday Night and that intro riff on Junk Shop make you stand to attention. 1955 is so wonderfully reflective and laidback.
Campervan is a killer song, moody and magnificent with a delightful engaging handclap. Sad Comedian is so Bolan-esque, with its Ray Davies like storytelling and inspired video featuring Stewart Lee. Proper songs built on proper arrangements, what a stellar album!
You can listen to and buy the album here. The Vinyl and CD can be bought here.
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