Some albums require a good few listens before a positive opinion can be formed. Not this, SixNationState’s eponymous debut offering. From the minute the Brazilian Carnival styled drumbeats and distant shouts on opening track ‘Can’t Let Go’ give way to the guitar and rasping vocals, you just know that is going to be good.
Good? Better than that, even. For instance, each of the opening five tracks is so different and distinctive. Track two, ‘Keep Dancing’ has a feel of gypsy punks Gogol Bordelo to it. (This mood is actually repeated elsewhere on the album, only it is cleverly and sufficiently fused with other styles to ensure it cannot be passed over as ‘cloned’ music.) ‘Caught The Sun’ is a perfect example. The vocals still have a bit of the ‘gypsy punk’ to them, but the backing this time has elements of The Strokes shining through. The following track, ‘Taking Me Over’ retains this style, but in the catchy chorus only. Elsewhere in the track, ska-core guitar (think early Capdown) is prominent, with the vocals sung in a (presumably) false Cockney accent. The fifth track, ‘I Hate The Summer’ is a slow burning dub based track. Very atmospheric, with perhaps a King Blues influence shining through. ‘So Long’ completes the first half of the album in foot-stomping fashion.
‘Everybody Wants To Be My Friend’ is the longest track on the album, at four minutes and nine seconds. And quite rightly too. With a dub feel to it, heavy bass and echoed drumbeats, it has a perfect sing-a-long chorus. Indeed, ALL the tracks on this album do. ‘Where Are You Now’ has a ska tinge to the guitars, but is in essence an upbeat pop song. ‘Up & Down’ on the other hand, reflects more of a ska-core edge and proves that when played with imagination (there are gypsy-punk chants incorporated as well!) this genre is far from dead.
The next song, ‘Don’t Need You Anymore’ is a real surprise packet when considered in the context of the other tracks. It’s a schmoozy pop song with delicate soulful vocals, again with a great hook, but sounding strangely like a hybrid of The Housemartins and Take That!! Well, maybe not specifically those, but bands of that ilk. ‘Blow Your Mind’ is probably the only song on the album that does not stand out. That’s not to say it is weak. It’s still a bouncy song; this time the mid-song chants sounding more Cossack Russian than Gypsy Punk. The album closer, ‘We Could Be Happy’ is the most commercially acceptable, and reflects the popular trend for indie music in daytime radio airplay. Which is why, of course it was released as a single towards the end of September!
If you are prepared to ‘take a punt’ and buy / download an album without first hearing it, I can thoroughly recommend this one. You just will not find a more varied piece of quality work this year. And when New Year comes around, and you’re pondering what resolutions to make, may I suggest that place at the top of your list:
‘Go see SixNationState when they come anywhere near my town’
That’s certainly what I’ll be doing.