Whilst fellow town-mates CAPTAIN EVERYTHING proverbially blew up last year headlining shows across the country to touring Canada and then Latvia of all places, Watford’s MY DAD JOE were starting to build up their own whirlwind with this debut album being the fruits of their labour. I’m not sure if the band are currently on a hiatus or not but things seem to be quiet in their camp at present, this album is anything but that though and I’m truly surprised it slipped by virtually unnoticed last year.
I won’t beat around the bush, MDJ play fast as fuck poppy-skate-punk with massive choruses laced with hooks catchier than an STD at a student shag fest. This is true of virtually every track of the 14 on this album, so value for money is definitely there. The best thing about this album is whilst MDJ are not doing anything new at all, they have the own unique style of doing it. For argument’s sake so many UK bands try to sound as American as possible, but Paulo’s distinctive vocals are as far from that clichéd whiney tone as can be. Another example would be so many bands using airy-fairy lyrics to convey lovey-dovey feelings. Not MDJ and I quote; “Just shut up and be mine†– ‘Dazed’. It’s blunt yet so incredibly effective.
The musicianship is of a hi-standard throughout whether it’s the neat guitar licks (see ‘What are you doing?’) the instrumental tribute to Top Gun (‘Maverick vs Iceman’) or the stunning drumming efforts (see the intro of the anthemic ‘You’re not the one’). Mark Williams’ production captures the songs perfectly which only adds to a great listening experience. What MDJ don’t do is show off, so guitar geeks looking for a shred-fest or art-rock fans looking for 8/13 time signatures may not enjoy the simplistic joys of this album at all. For everyone else, as long as you like your music fast, catchy and to the point there is no logical reason why this won’t appeal to you at all.
I do honestly think it’s criminal that this album has escaped most people’s attention since it was released last year. If this album fails to leave you tapping your foot, nodding your head or trying to scrape the choruses out your brain with a toothpick hours after hearing them you are quite possibly clinically dead, seek medical advice immediately.
Mike
Good Clean Fun Records