My first foray into the world of Four Dumb Kids was a couple of years ago when I had the opportunity to review an old EP of there’s. If I’m brutally honest, I wasn’t overly impressed; it was bland, lacked ideas and just seemed too cliché. Well two years on how do they fare with their latest EP? Well thankfully, a slight change of direction has occurred and it has benefited the band massively. The horns are out, and a more progressive and impressive sound has replaced them and it is a treat from start to finish.
That isn’t to say it will win any awards for startling originality, but it marks a new era for the band to go on and push in a direction which will benefit all involved. ‘Apathy Is A Greater Threat To Democracy Than Terrorism Ever Was’ is a more than competent opener displaying some tidy melodies along with some cracking harmonies while ‘Like the Trophy I’m Bitter’ is slightly darker, doesn’t veer to much from the openers formula, and apart from a few clichéd lyrics manages to hold the attention span long enough to enjoy the childish charm on offer. ‘Work, TV, Sleep’ is rather flat in comparison to the previous efforts and proves the only disappointment of the six tracks on show. This proves a minor blip though and it is left to the standout tracks ‘This Month is Tainted’ and ‘Culkin, Gaffney, Hanks’ to really establish FDK as one of the brighter hopes of UK punk rock. As was previously mentioned, none are jaw droppingly fantastic, but since my last foray into their world, they have become ultimately more addictive and compelling to listen to.
FDK have produced a solid, dependable six track showing with ‘Perform Six Songs…’ and it is the EP we all know they have been capable of producing. Coupled with the splendid artwork, it is more than worth shelling out the £3.50 they are asking for on their site, so I suggest you go over there now and give a little back to the boys from Rotherham. Alan Knill compels you.
Jay
www.fourdumbkids.co.uk