The Australian punk band fronted by the electric personality of irrepressible singer Amy Taylor return with another set of fabulous songs, with some new musical dynamic variation, plenty of humour, swearing, exposed flesh, but also self-aware, kick-ass feminism driven by great riffs and melodies. Opener Jerkin instantly takes no prisoners with a stormy sound and Taylor’s scattergun wit and take-downs of dodgy masculinity – “Don’t wanna be stuck in that negativity / Keep jerkin’ on your squirter / You will never get with me.” Chewing Gum has marvellous meaty riffs and lyrics in which with her genre in romantic love songs, rather cleverly fuses simple metaphor immediacy with depth, candid, self-aware, ironic humour with positive life affirmation. “Here I am, a vision / So far out don’t rob me of young / Don’t you know? That I can’t come … But just for once / And just for love / I'm stuck on you, just like a chewing gum / Life is short, life is fun and I’m young and so dumb / Stuck on you like a chew like a chewing gum.” On Tiny Bikini she parodies Barbie-style femininity. Big Dreams may surprise some with an acoustic guitar and more power-rock, reflective seriousness, but that light and shade adds depth, after which the band are back on familiar punk territory with the short-sharp raucousness, shouting and shredding on It’s Mine.
There’s no slowing here though, with a classic Sniffers pace revving up on Motorbike Song, and momentum continues to build on those that follow, such as the punch-the-air chorus of Doing In Me Head, which also points to some serious issues of the present-day world. Perhaps though the standout is former Song of the Day U Should Not Be Doin’ That, a pointed number against narrow-minded naysayer fans who comment on the band’s direction, complete with fabulous thumping bass line, sax and voluminous riffs that would make AC/DC proud. Taylor however remains the Sniffers’ not-so-secret weapon, a person who could charge-up the national grid with her energy, wit, cheeky, grinning charm, closing here with the empowering, humorous take-no-shit Me and The Girls. Overall then, another belter by the super Sniffers who continue to be absolutely unmissable on stage. Out on Rough Trade.
New to comment? It is quick and easy. You just need to login to Disqus once. All is explained in About/FAQs ...
Feel free to recommend more new albums and comment below. You can also use the contact page, or find more on social media: Song Bar Twitter, Song Bar Facebook. Song Bar YouTube, and Song Bar Instagram. Please subscribe, follow and share.
Song Bar is non-profit and is simply about sharing great music. We don’t do clickbait or advertisements. Please make any donation to help keep the Bar running: