{"id":8880,"date":"2023-03-28T21:35:33","date_gmt":"2023-03-28T20:35:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ipamusic.co.uk\/?p=8880"},"modified":"2023-03-28T21:35:36","modified_gmt":"2023-03-28T20:35:36","slug":"the-bar-stool-preachers-spread-their-wings-on-third-album-above-the-static","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ipamusic.co.uk\/?p=8880","title":{"rendered":"The Bar Stool Preachers spread their wings on third album Above The Static"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ALBUM REVIEW: The Bar Stool Preachers – Above The Static <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

(Pure Noise Records)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Bar Stool Preachers<\/a><\/strong> (BSP) are one of the UK punk scene’s brightest up and coming bands, and this is their third album.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Brighton-based band have spent the last eight years carving out a reputation as one of the most entertaining live acts around with their lively ska-punk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But just when you think you know what to expect from the six\/seven-piece (it varies), they go and turn those preconceptions inside out and upside down with Above The Static<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Denied a major label deal by the Covid-19 pandemic, they signed instead to Pure Noise Records<\/a><\/strong> (home to Less Than Jake\/Bouncing Souls\/Spanish Love Songs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And although it’s been five long years since their last long-player, 2018’s Grazie Governo<\/em>, it’s certainly been worth the wait.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They’ve worked with some useful producers on the album which could make or break them: Kevin Bivona (The Interrupters), Ted Hutt (Dropkick Murphys\/Flogging Molly) and Ben Hannah (Nosebleed).<\/p>\n\n\n

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One listen of the opening track Call Me On The Way Home<\/em>, released as the lead single just before an exultant performance at Rebellion Festival in Blackpool last August, will have suggested they’re headed in a new direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s an upbeat pop-punk number, packed with call and response verses, ‘woah-oh’ choruses and a bigger sound than the band have ever had before, I didn’t take to it right away, as it sounded too polished, too commercial, but listen to the words and you’ll realise it’s about dealing with depression. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This new, improved BSP sound is one you’d better get used to, because they’ve really upped the ante production-wise on this record, and then some. They sound HUGE, but also throw in a couple of surprises.<\/p>\n\n\n

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All Turned Blue<\/em>, the second single, is about falling in and out of love, and – like its predecessor – is obviously aimed at attracting the attention of a new audience. It’s another catchy tune with a big chorus you can sing along to, and a ska breakdown just to add that BSP stamp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indeed, fans of old will find plenty among the 12 tracks to keep them happy. Flatlined<\/em>, two songs in, is another upbeat number, with a middle eight which sees frontman Tom McFaull namecheck The Streets as he spits lyrics Mike Skinner-style, and another earworm chorus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doorstep<\/em>, the third single, sees the boys show they can rock out with the best of them; it’s about dealing with your personal demons, it’s a right rabble rouser, with an infectious chorus and some heavy metal guitar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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