If there’s a more diverse or electic release put out this year than ‘Songs of Innocence and Experience’ then I’ll eat my hat. This is a corker of a record, taking in all kinds of influences and experiences (as the title suggests) and blending them into their own sound. Adequate Seven are on to a winner here, and this record, their first full length, is the proof.
Whether it’s the instrumental funk of ‘The Shape of Funk To Come’, the skacore of ‘Human Condition’ or the blues-influenced loungecore of the album’s secret track, there is something here for everyone. I’m not the world’s biggest ska fan, and this isn’t something I would usually pick out to listen to, but I’d urge you to give it a chance because you will be surprised. The seven-piece attracted the interest of Household Name last year, a label which itself has a wide range of acts, and after self-releasing a 5-track EP last year, went into the studio to creat this – and what an end product it is.
The grrove laden ‘The Shape Of Funk To Come’ runs straight into ‘Human Condition’, but it’s the awesome ‘Gotta Stay Focused’ that immediately grabs your attention. Jamie Searle’s lead vocals are interspersed with a cool horn section, while the guitars buzz away in the background. There’s ska, funk and even a huge melodic dollop of coolness too. ‘Choices’ is faster and harder, not really breaking into skacore territory, but with the horns at the forefront and the pace lifted up a notch, it’s a song that demands attention.
The album’s energy is apparent throughout, but in between the faster songs are tracks like the funk-tastic ‘Minor Details’ and ‘Grassroots Resistance’, both of which offer nice variety and keep things interesting. In between those the hardcore tinged ‘Protest Beat’ and ‘Everybody Hates’ adds a kick to proceedings. Lyrically Ad7 are also a band with something to say, following in the footsteps of labelmates Five Knuckle. With the world situation as it is, lines like “we wtach in silence the double standards of the West, stripped of life choices put your needs before the rest,” ring home too true. The welfare state is even attacked on the buzzsaw guitar-led ‘The State We’re In’, a track which picks up with doubled-vocal screamy parts and an increase in pace.
‘Meltdown’ is cathartic in itssoft approach, a track which is almost like a cool version of lift music. It’s gentle, uplifting and fucking cool – and it takes all of the anger and hurt that has been built up away. The horns are awesome and the grooves are a standout, suckering you in before anti-corporate identity anthem that is ‘No Space’. Attacking Gap, Ibiza, and more importantly the people who consume them, it’s a song with an agenda. You think that was good, well wait for the scathing ‘Pop Idle’ with has a go at all the mass media pop groups created through the television. It’s a great song on a great album. As original a release as I’ve heard in ages, this record has got something to appeal to those who love punk, hardcore, ska and funk. And if you like all of them, you’re in for a treat. A band with a message, a band with an agenda and a band with a fantastic new album.
Paul