I love it when a band gives me an album to review and they don't fulfil their true potential.

No I ain't no punk music pervert who gets his kicks out of other peoples shortcomings - please bear with me. You see if a band releases an album and it is decent enough but yet is more than a little obvious in the fact that the outfit have a lot more in reserve then I feel as though the reviewers job can really shine through and the few pointers and encouraging words used that can hopefully provoke a future improvement in the general all round sound are hopefully at their most effective.

As a reviewer I always state that any fucker can slate an album, anyone can do a one spin assessment and palm a band off with a less than thoughtful appraisal and any cunt can talk a lot of twaddle without any substance but, only the ones who love the scene and really want it, and the bands found therein, to improve will put the work in to several listens and the final assessment. I try to adopt the latter approach and hopefully can do The Kingcrows justice with their new found noise that really hits the mark after a previous decent but subdued release.

We get the ball rolling here with the new confidence of 'Hanging Around'. A song that feedbacks forth before a quick bass vibe is tackled by some clashing guitars and drum spills. The vocals follow and the first chorus comes and goes with ease before the pleading chorus commences with the helpless wordage 'Baby, baby please....'.

The improvement from the last release is instantaneously apparent and the bonus is that the CD just grows with listen-ability with each silver spin. A good opening track to savour although my young daughter does say the follow track is not only better but the best track of the CD. Who am I to argue? 'Stiletto Groove' has big times drums to greet us and a superb hip swinging choppy guitar leash to keep us stuck to the speakers. There is a real rock and roll groove here and the accuracy of the overall delivery only intensifies the sonic spectrum further and so has the listener totally absorbed.

The Kingcrows are making a big impression on me and with this latest release I am seeing nothing other than a fruitful future awash with encouraging feedback and positive musical moves. My missus and aforementioned daughter are impressed as well with this crew so a veritable fungalised hat-trick here and that is indeed rare praise.

'What She Does To You' has a more heavier sound (only a little mind you) and gives hint at a more serious tone of tuneage. There is a head down insistence that seems to be fully directed towards the finishing line which gives an attracting appeal. Again the underlying R 'n' R groove is maintained and the mini break at 1 min 26 seconds is fuckin' marvellous and mightily frustrating with its transient appearance. Back to the forward march and we reach the end tape just short of the 3 minute mark in what seems a much terser space of time. The sign of a good song - I think so!

'Sex Oui' adopts a more standardised approach and swings in with a bizarre unhinged pre Kalinka sound that has me reaching for the fur-trimmed boots and Cossack barnet cover. Way off the mark perhaps but such is the mind of a warped mushroom man. I love this song and the crowds should be singing along to this in their drunken hordes. (Apologies for mentioning crowds when reviewing a punk band - fuck me I almost believed people actually turn-up to watch these great bands - note: heavy sarcasm intend ya fuckin' bastards). Anyway I love this track and all I can say is 'Sex Oui' - Oui!

'Revolution Street' is one of the bands 'live' signature numbers that always gets the punters interest. They have done it justice here and made it both memorable on disk as well as in the gigging arena. The simple 'Whoa hoa yeah' that inter-cuts each verse line will win favour and the chorus is basic but does the job. In fact most sing-a-along beauties are of a tendency that lean towards the most unflowery of styles. Best fuckin' way if you ask me and not as easy to compose as one thinks!

A corroded guitar comes next before a flash harry twinkle deceives and in no way gives hint at the following Oi-esque street burst that gets back to the gutter and grits it out. 'One Of The Boys' throws the listener somewhat and shows that the band can turn things on their head at the drop of a hat. A good crack to be had and we close with an effort which is the best, the most unexpected and the most delightful way with which to end this choice CD for the underdog connoisseur. There maybe 'Writing On The Wall' but nothing of the ominous kind for this ever-impressive band. This crackin' acoustic delivery is a sobered piece that exhibits quality musicianship and constructive know-how with a temperament that is blue and ensnared within its own misery. The emotions are relayed from disc to eardrum with precision and the complete composite is a joy.

What can I say - The KC crew have nailed a good un' and punk rock promoters should be booking these as soon as they get the chance. Good lads to deal with, a great 'live' show and with a powerful arsenal of songs to meet most punk needs I reckon that the future can only look rosy for these punking buggers. Anyone who deems themselves as an underdog enthusiast should get this, see the band and try and push their cause - we are in it together and the loss to the punk rock community when bands like this get sold short makes me fuckin' sick. Go on chance yer arm and make a myspace visit and let your support flourish. Punk needs you and so do The Kingcrows.

--- fungalpunk OMD Amanita

The Sweet and Slade made some great singles but every time you hear the word 'glam' these days it's either the Americanised rock variety and/or pop/indie wimpsville. Not so this band from Leeds. They have the necessary punk rock energy to stand out from the crowd. The lyrics - like all their contemporaries - are pretty throwaway, but "Hanging Around" and "One Of The Boys" (no not a predictable cover) are cracking tunes with great Slaughter & The Dogs bass sound, raw guitars and the crash cymbal takes a good battering which is always good to see. Even the less impressive, more psychobilly tinged numbers ain't bad, and they somehow manage to do a good acoustic tune to round off this 7 tracker ("Writing On The Wall" will be a classic when they get round to doing a full band version).

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