The Impediments are probably unhinged. When I say probably, I mean they are definitely mental. Musically they sound like John Spencer Blues Explosion, MC5, Stooges, Chuck Berry, Rolling Stones and New York Dolls at once. And it’s good! It’s mental, unhinged, white noise held together by a bloody piano. The odd doo-wop chorus and what sounds like four part harmonies add a layer of melody – all in all it comes together just right. The vocals are rough and ready but suit the style these lads have burted out over 11 tracks perfectly. The lead guitar is great as well – the entire album is summed up perfectly in the 2:03 ‘Don’t Mess Me Around’, spiralling guitar licks, free solos, pounding piano, gang vocals….. This is retro sounding, and importantly, it’s…. effortlessly cool.
2012 is a bum inclusion as it’s mid-paced approach, at nearly 5 minutes, provides an unwelcome interlude in an otherwise frenetic collection of tracks. Elsewhere some of the lyrics come across as crass “don’t you vomit on my cock”, an entire song about masturbation (Vagina Envy) and the endless repeating of “I Wanna Fuck Leanne Rimes” at the end of Leanne. It’s unnecessary, these guys already come across as round the twist and dangerous without resorting to such tricks.
This album isn’t going to win any awards for originality, but it’s not derivative. Where some of the lyrics let the album down, everything else is perfect. If you’re after something different, maybe a soundtrack to a party, this is stop number one. Just don’t get upset when people trash your house and fuck on your oven.
Kieran