Search - Easterhouse :: Contenders

Smother the Fascists with Guitar

Michael S. Mahoney | Louisville, KY United States | 08/16/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Easterhouse's one record of note attempts the impossible and fails beautifully. The guitars climb grandly, the lyrics reach for inspiration, and the whole thing falls like a pebble into the ocean. Andy Perry's polemics will rub wrong if you detest Irish republicanism or have a bust of Maggie Thatcher on your mantle -- next to your cherished framed snap with Big Ian on the front line. While the album does attack Labour hypocrites who forsake the downtrodden for graven image worship of the Saxon kind, the call to topple the swine doesn't ever mute the superb guitar work, which is yet another shade of overachieving Manchester. That blighted pox on the map sure spun gold amidst hayracks of dross. Most eighties music is now unlistenable. Thankfully, albums like this one have real conviction and emotion, not some forced bathos, the kind that now passes for passion: think Creed. Easterhouse made one great record. That was enough."

True Soul Music

Todd Boostrom | Pacific Palisades, CA United States | 02/17/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Pop and politics don't always mix well together, but this album is a stunning exception. Like all great soul music, Contenders evokes a mood and tells its story beautifully within the limitations of the pop song format. The haunting vocals and spidery guitars frame the heartfelt lyrics to maximum effect. This isn't a great album because of its political content; it's a great album because it's great music coupled with fantastic storytelling. Even if Lenin doesn't get your motor revving, don't miss out on Contenders."