Breaking out of the Dublin scene based on their ferocious live performance, Irish trio Fangclub are the latest band to appropriate early 90s grunge, adding their own riff-heavy spin. Opener, lead single and title-track ‘Bullet Head’ explodes with unrelenting force before the aptly titled ‘Loner’ injects the introspected melancholy associated with the genre. Similar in style to early Dinosaur Pile-Up, Fangclub balance the understated with the unreserved, packing a punch even in their most downbeat moments.
Their ability to blend styles shines through, not least as ‘Young Blood’ switches from its opening snarl to a rock and roll meets slurred grunge chorus. While holding on to its unmistakable retrospection, ‘Bullet Head’ dabbles outside of its genre convention. Even where the record feels comparatively safe, particularly as it reaches its ‘Role Models’ conclusion, Fangclub remain a promising prospect.
Rather than reinvent the wheel, Fangclub are adding spikes to it. ‘Bullet Head’ is a guitar-driven battering ram, picking up momentum as it goes. Where it works best it blends hearty rock and roll with a grunge undercurrent, without pulling any punches. With songs like ‘Young Blood’ and the standout title-track, Fangclub are more than ready to take on their established counterparts.
BEN TIPPLE