If I was totally honest, I wouldn’t say I was particularly impressed with the last My Deaf Audio record. Don’t get me wrong, their brand of poppy skate-punk was as good as any other UK act doing the same thing, but to me they just got lost in a sea of bands that were nothing better than mediocre. MDA were more a face in a crowd and having been a band for so long they were possibly beginning to lose any momentum they’d built up over the years. When the ‘Are The New Black’ arrived on my doorstep I have to admit I wasn’t overly enthused by the prospect of listening to it, but any doubts of yet more heard-it-all before punk rock were dispelled as soon as ‘Get Out, Right Now’ blasted out of the stereo.
MDA haven’t just changed their sound, they’ve become a completely new band. This is the biggest musical turnaround I think I’ve ever seen. If you think you know MDA inside out, just wait until you hear this new record – it’s by far the best thing they’ve ever done, even if you’ll be left scratching your head to make sure it is the same band (believe me, it is. I actually had to ask to double-check I’d not been sent the wrong CD by mistake). There’s a definite Swedish rock and roll feel to the band now; throwing in The Hives comparisons is somewhat inevitable, but if The (International) Noise Conspiracy, and to an extent Refused, overdosed on melody pills and relocated to Brighton, they’d possibly release a record that sounds like this.
‘Get Out, Right Now’ is a fun blast of rock and roll that will make you grab your dancing shoes. It’s cleverly produced, almost 80s in feel, with the guitar tones sounding absolutely perfect. Andy Reed’s vocals have become a million times cooler, there’s a swagger in his throat that may have been there before, but was never delivered convincingly. Infact I’ve seen MDA live before and never thought the frontman had the conviction to match his vocal talent, but ‘Are The New Black’ sees him come of age. ‘Turn Off The World’ is a glorious foot-stomper too and I can see MDA getting plenty of attention with this record.
It’ll be interesting to hear why the band decided to change their sound quite so drastically, but whatever the motive it’s been for the best. If MDA were getting left behind by some younger bands, ‘Are The New Black’ will catapult them back into the public eye. I was pleasantly surprised with this record, even though it’s not usually the kind of music I’d go out and buy. If you’re a My Deaf Audio fan, you’ll love this record – but if you are new to the band I’d recommend making this a starting point.
www.mydeafaudio.com
Bivouac Recordings
Paul