The King Blues - 'Punk & Poetry' (Transmission) Released: 18/04/11

Politically charged, ‘Punk & Poetry’ is an album for those wanting to challenge the system and ask the questions that many are afraid to. As a band, The King Blues are a representation of the modern day teen with aspirations that stretch further than what hair product they’re going to purchase. With that said, the band’s third full length record is actually as thought provoking as a Richard Powers novel at times, but is still a joy to listen to that has its simplistic moments.
              
Structurally and lyrically very reminiscent of a post 2000 Carter USM album, Itch and the crew go toe to toe with the British government on the heavy metal meets ska ‘We Are F*cking Angry’. Released as a free download – giving fans a taste of things to come, lines like, “Hang the judge and kill the jury/ Come alive and use your fury/ The future will write the history/ And we ain't gonna take this no more,” show the seriousness of the band’s anti-government legislation intentions. It doesn’t stop there either. On ‘The Future’s Not What It Used To Be,” its infectious hook, “Wuh oh, the future’s not what it used to be/  So would the last one out please turn off the light, turn off the light,” over a strong trumpet presence is a modern day old mans back-in-my-day anthem. With witty observations that include, “While on a round 360, like a dog chasing its tale/ While the school girls dress like hookers, the hookers dress like school girls,” it’s easily one of the album’s stand-out moments.
               
Evoking controversy whenever they step in to a recording studio, even the 47 second skit ‘Shooting Fascists’ finds time to poke fun at the authoritarian nationalist political ideology that is fascism – “Grandad didn’t vote for fascists, he shot ‘em.”
               
On a lighter note, ‘Sex Education’ is a hilarious look at today’s marriage of youngsters with sex. Short but indefinitely sweet, the first verse looks at boys and their first encounter with online pornography, while the second puts it in to practice. While there is in fact a message within the song, the vocal delivery that mirrors that of a stand-up comedian, you can’t help but s****. Sticking with the funny, ‘5 Bottles Of Shampoo’ is a look at the difference between men and women, starting with their bathroom product habit. Touching upon men pinching girl’s bums, the track then takes a more serious turn by looking at domestic violence with Itch becoming a staple for mistreated women everywhere. Bringing it back around to the chuckle factor, the track ends, “You’re a giver of life and a warrior too/ So do you really need 5 bottles of shampoo?”
               
The King Blues unite punk, folk, rock, ska, metal, rap, and as the titles suggests, poetry, so it truly has something for everyone. Some references may go over a few casual punk/pop listeners heads, but this album is more an education than an offering.