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Riding high on a wave of critical adulation, 10,000 Things do not disappoint with their brilliant debut album. The aptly titled ‘Self Destruct’ kick starts things with an almighty bang and is a sure sign of things to come. Buoyed by an ass kickin’ bass line, and fused together with bursts of enthralling lead guitar solos and Sam Riley’s nonchalant delivery of lines like; “There will be no more beluga when the critics load their lugers”, it all makes for an absolute gem. Elsewhere, the excellent ‘Can’t Do Nothing’ has all the elements of a classic song – tight and bluesy, with deceptively soft percussion and a simmering bass line. And ‘Titanium’ is rammed with excellent beats, hard edged guitars and bar room vocals.Incredibly, as the album unravels, things go from strength to strength. Opening with a riff that’s got more hook than a ‘good time girl’ in Soho you’ll be magnetised by ‘Loverboy’ – a rapid, thumping bass and rhythm guitars are all tied down by Stobb’s immaculate drumming and Sam’s Jagger-esque vocals that meld together to create a sound guaranteed to get you dancing. ‘Find The One’ has a line from guitarist Will which some might say is reminiscent of Hendrix playing ‘Angel’, yet reeks of smoky bars, drunken nights and red eyes. Much like ‘Watchin’’- a deeper, darker number where Justin’s percussion exudes a decidedly exotic feel. The outrageous lyrics of Snake reflect the luminosity of the song. Sam yells: “Hey snake your image is such a mess, since the dawn of time you’ve been getting bad press.” Great lyrics delivered by a frontman with the spirit of this song in his soul. Soon they launch into ‘Dogsbody’, a song with lyrics we all need to scream; “I ain’t your dogsbody! I ain’t your slave!”. There’s even a hint of early Stones style here.
But it’s their signature song ‘Eatin’s Not Cheatin’’ that perfectly sums these boys up with its brilliant lyrics acting as an ode to a certain celebrity’s excuse when caught, ahem, ‘snacking’. The ethics we’ll leave for you to debate, but there can be no mistaking the sheer sex drive behind this one. ‘Wishful Thinking’ brings that bar room sound back to the fore with Stobb and Justin giving it that extra layer of sound. It’s a refreshing change to see a band use it so well and with such sophistication. And the heavy chug of ‘Femailen’ (female aliens with a penchant for sex slave abduction!) will blow your mind - great riffs, machine gun licks and drumstick hits that just scream ‘take me NOW!’ If this emphatic closing number doesn’t take you away then check your pulse, it may have stopped.
10,000 Things’ thrilling debut is sexed up rock n’ roll at its best.
