The major innovation of The Saints’ second album is the presence of the horn section on some tracks. Basically we can trace the “punk with horns” thing back to this album.
But the horns are present on only a few tracks, which feels like a missed opportunity, as they really do add something. Also, it’s a bit of a let down simply because I read too much about this record before I listened to it and I erroneously believed the entire record had the horns on it.
The reason I think it’s a missed opportunity is because the songs without horns sound a lot like the first Saints album. That’s not a bad thing per se, but it feels as though the horn section really is new take on punk, whereas the rest of music reminds me about my initial impression of The Saints: louder Ramones with better lyrics and better musicianship. As someone who is more an admirer of the Ramones for their importance, than a lover of the Ramones, you can imagine how I miss that horn section.
It’s been a while since I’ve listened to their debut, so I’m not sure the songs are better this time out, though I suspect they are. But everything is relative and I find myself listening to the tracks sans horns and thinking the horn section would make them better (or, at least, more original).
7/10
PS “International Robots” is pretty damn entertaining, though.
All tracks composed by Ed Kuepper and Chris Bailey; except where indicated
- “Know Your Product” – 3:15
- “Lost and Found” – 3:50
- “Memories Are Made of This” – 2:20 (Ed Kuepper)
- “Private Affair” – 2:05
- “A Minor Aversion” – 3:07
- “No, Your Product” – 4:07
- “This Perfect Day” – 2:30
- “Run Down” – 2:32
- “Orstralia” – 2:24 (Ed Kuepper)
- “New Centre of the Universe” – 2:21
- “Untitled” – 2:47
- “(I’m) Misunderstood” – 2:46
- “International Robots” – 1:58
- Chris Bailey – vocals
- Ed Kuepper- guitar
- Ivor Hay – drums
- Algy Ward – bass
with:
- Graham Preskett – brass arrangements
- Iain Ward – harmonica
- The International Robot Choir – backing vocals