Top quality punk
skak1 | 03/14/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The group have been described as the Irish Clash and the description is apt, such is the similarity of sound and philosophy. Like the Clash this group mixed punk with Jamaican-influenced sounds- this album contains a cover version of the Specials' Ska classic 'Doesn't make it alright' and a dubbed up version of the song they previously released as 'Bloody Sunday'. SLF were probably better than the Clash- the situations they described were much more directly inspired from their personal experience- this was not rich kids' rebellion. The group which hailed from Northern Ireland took the conscious decision not to include any songs about the political situation of their hometown on this follow-up to their highly acclaimed 'Inflammable Material' (which had been almost entirely devoted to Belfast protest songs). Some of the best material the group recorded is on this album although it also contains two fillers ('I don't like you' and 'No change' are both very weak). The subject matter here is diverse ranging form attacks on the conservative party ('Fly the Flag') to songs about trying to get out of situations in which you feel trapped ('Tin Soldiers', 'At the Edge', 'Gotta Getaway'). This is an album of the highest quality. Powerful guitar-driven punk. Some of the best lyrics you'll ever hear. Poltical protest mixed with teenage angst. SLF are still going today and continue to produce interesting material and phenomenal live shows... Their die-hard following is still with them. It is ironic that the group who sang 'don't wanna be nobody's hero' should be the object of such cult fanaticism even to this day- but that speaks volumes for the quality of their music and lyrics."
SLF at their best
C. Chambers | Greensboro, NC USA | 03/30/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the best SLF album, and also one of the best punk albims ever. It's very catchy and aggressive, positive and angry. If you like punk, there's no way you won't like this."
Mood Altering
J. D. Maquera | Chicago, IL | 07/08/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album goes really well with a bottle of Chimay, i've discovered. i bet it would even make that wine stuff taste good. cheers."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1
