ALBUM REVIEW: The Inklings – Bring Out Your Dead (self-released)
This is the fourth album from Teesside trio The Inklings in a little over two years, and their second in the last 12 months.
Darren Thomas (guitar and vocals) and Mick McGee (bass and vocals) are also in punk band Zeitgeist 77, but this is a very different kettle of fish.
The pair are joined by Daz’s son James on drums, and their music is more post-punk in style.
They’re still rooted in punk, and The Stranglers are undoubtedly the band who influence The Inklings the most.
JJ Burnel would be proud of the bassline underpinning opener Under The Stairs, whose gentle delivery disguises a dark tale of kidnap, abuse, rape and murder.
Daz’s almost-spoken vocal delivery reminds me very much of Mensi from the Angelic Upstarts in his quieter moments.
It’s a powerful start, and you wonder whether they can sustain such quality over the 10 tracks, but we needn’t worry.
Hitting their stride
Last year’s album Bricolage (reviewed here) was enjoyable, but The Inklings really hit their stride here in terms of songwriting and musicianship.
Lead single Taxi For Swales shows a lighter touch, while Envious Eyes brings all those Stranglers touches to the fore, on one of the album’s best songs.
It’s not the standout moment though; that mantle falls to The Real Price Of Oil, which outlines the toll on those who go to war over the black stuff which keeps the world running.
The title track, Bring Out Your Dead, which closes the album, has more Dave Greenfield-like keys, but it’s Murder Ballads-era Nick Cave who’s the biggest touchstone here.
Bring Out Your Dead is available on most major streaming services and a limited edition digipack CD direct from the band via their Facebook page HERE. 8/10
- The Inklings are due to support Big Country at the Georgian Theatre in Stockton in June 2022.
