In many respects, one could write off Pensioner as just another Scottish band of talented musicians taking too much influence from successful Scottish bands such as Biffy Clyro and Mogwai. From the intricate rhythmic changes on opener ‘Goodbye Tension, Hello Pension’ to the distortion driven instrumental ‘From Rags to Glitches’, references to poverty and deprivation reveal that the band also take a lot of their lyrical influence from their surroundings. What gives them their edge, however, is their aggression. Expressed most clearly on second track ‘Le Coq Sportif’ and final track ‘Credit Crunch, Schmedit Schmunch’, it is this single raw emotion which drives this four track EP and should show Pensioner as far more than imitations of those that inspire them.
