We Are Not All Civilians,
TinyElvisSurprises rule, I love them. Tiny Elvis proved a cracking surprise for myself. I had heard plenty of people mention their name in the previous few months, so I was pleased when I finally had the chance to check them out. Simply put, the make loud punk rock and they deliver it in the absolute bucketful.
They rip their way through twelve songs, leaving you gasping for breath with stirring hooks and harsh vocals leading you through the onslaught. Hailing from Bath in humble blighty it is testament to the talent the band hold they have only been together since November 2001, a mere twenty months later and they have released an album that any self respecting punk rock fan should own.
The tone for the punk rock festivities is set in opener 'Ruined Beauty', show casing all the bits of Tiny Elvis which come together to form the beast which is their music. Precise chords, gruff vocals, punishing drumming are the order of the day and 'Low on dust' also features such qualities which 'The Elvis' do so well. 'Altamont' opens slowly before a more upbeat tempo is introduced and the similar anthemic chorus entertains us all in more pure punk rock revelry. 'Chemical Knowledge' is full of energy from start to finish with some extremely talented songwriting also on show and although 'All or Nothing' is a brief lull, title track 'We are not all civilians' brings the album back to life with another ferocious anthemic beast.
Although disappointing moments on the album are rare, 'Desert Girls' is one of them, but clocking in at only 1.47, it is over briefly. 'Hell is other people' is bitter and dark, while 'Where were you', is almost dare I say it uplifting in parts. But don't think the band are going soft on you, oh no. 'Terrorist Toys' is another slice of classy anarchism, with a big fuck you on a stirring chorus, with lulls in the verses contradicting the anger of the effort well. 'Adult Crash' and 'Trans Love' wrap up the album in solid fashion and you are left thoroughly exhilarated by your experience.
As I previously noted on, the fact this band have only been together for such a short period of time is scarcely believable. The four piece certainly have their own distinct sound which gives a big fuck you to all the other copycat fillers flooding the scene at the moment. This is a band more of the kids starting out today should look upto, dare to be different. It worked for Tiny Elvis, it can work for others.
Jay
