Now this more fucking like it. While the summer has been blighted by shit weather on an almost continuous basis, you can forget those cliché’s that we critics use a little too often about a ‘good summer album’. Who cares about soothing riffs and happy go lucky vibes when you can listen to the Dauntless Elite‘s take on the summer – an all out assault on the senses of some mighty fine punk rock. Before receiving this CDEP I had never heard of them, I didn’t know what to expect, but in a short amount of time I have come to love every bar and growl present.
From the off this is explosive stuff, it is simply god old-fashioned heart on your sleeve punk rock (With dashes of hardcore no less). No daft haircuts, no breast huggingly tight T-shirts or slacks, just ferocious music from an extremely promising band that doesn’t bow down to tried and tested light hearted modern English punk formula’s. Edgier than the white cliffs of Dover, and with the right amount of polish that a 1920’s shoeshine would be proud of, the six tracks display musicianship of the highest order. Presenting the skills of more cutting heavier riffs but showing a keen eye for melody is usually easier said than done, but it is all tidily completed and the four piece make it all look a little to easy.
‘What is eating Winston Smith’ is an opening brimming with energy as the duel vocals battle for supremacy and some sparkling lyrics take a hold over the song. The good form is continued on ‘Routine Cheques’ another riotous adventure into northern punk while the superbly named ‘I don’t mean to be a melody fascist, but…’ crackles along at a fair old rate and holds up the middle section of the release well. ‘Energy Kids Rule Forever’ is another delightful trip down a punk memory lane with a dirty edge that is hard to shift from the memory long after your final listen while it closes with the chorus strong ’14 year hangover’ and the sublimely melodic ‘Burn the fuckers, Burn them all!’.
What is most delightful about The Dauntless Elite is they’re English. They are not American, yet they have a sound that many of their contemporaries across the pond would kill for. With echoes of the mighty Good Riddance in their sound, strong lyrics and melodies in abundance, the quartet are surely destined for bigger things, they certainly deserve it and it can only be a matter of time before relative stardom beckons.
Jay
www.thedauntlesselite.com
Plan-It-X Records