Originally released in 2003, Battleship have given their ‘Presents Princess’ seven-tracker a re-release through US label OnOn Switch. Originally released as a 12-inch, this is now available on CD and sounds like Gang of Four given a sick and twisted, and massively under-produced, makeover. ‘A Pig Is A Pig’ and ‘Parasite’ sound like they were recorded in a garbage can, but that’s half the appeal – Battleship are raw, rough and ready and they mean it. Each of the seven songs has squally guitar riffs and crashing drums, all built around an aggressive – and oft out of tune – vocal. The best is saved for last, however, with ‘Contempt’, a track which switches from the seething to a dramatic build up and sounds great for it. The vocals are so distant and badly recorded it actually sounds good – and the screams build up into something oddly great.
www.ononswitch.com
paul