Likeable may be a strange way to describe an album, but Colt 45’s “The Tide is Turning” is exactly that, it’s the kind of album that gets the seal of approval from the first listen. Their distinctly British vocals are easy to warm to, with their delivery comparable to home grown bands like Deaf Havanna and Lower than Atlantis.
With introspective lyrics covering working shitty jobs, growing up and questioning where your life is heading before finally accepting where you are, “The Tide is Turning” will resonate with some more than others. The beautiful delivery of lines such as “I now feel the ups and downs more easily and for the first time in my life I feel scared” give them deeper layers of meaning, and when sandwiched between some pretty impressive punk riffs, Colt 45 have hit on a winning formula.
It’s not all storming riffs either, Colt 45 have the beginnings of a crowd sing-along too, and songs like ‘The Simple Things are Working’ manage to sound huge (there’s that stadium feel again) without being overblown or trite.
Of course it’s not without its flaws, romantic ballad ‘When We Sleep Alone’ takes cheesy to the next levels, with stereotypical lyrics such as “I think about you every minute I’m not with you because I miss you”, but one misstep is perfectly forgivable.
Few bands reach the arena level of success of bands like You Me at Six or All Time Low, but Colt 45 have what it takes to hold their own against the big guns. Their ridiculously catchy punk is not only radio-friendly enough to win them mainstream attention; it’s also rich in meaning, with great lyrics and interesting ideas. Colt 45 are certainly a band to watch.
JAY SULLIVAN