Customer Reviews

Nobody's Hero

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Stiff Little Fingers is a great punk band from Ireland. A lot like The Clash they mix punk rock with reggae. This album is no exception. The guitar is really heavy. Jake Burns has a really strong voice. All the songs are classic punk. The bonus tracks are really interesting including the Jake Burns interview with Alan Parker. Favorites include Gotta Gettaway, Wait and See, Fly the Flag, At the Edge, Nobody's Hero, Doesn't Make It All Right, No Change, Tin Soldiers, and my favorite bonus track is Straw Dogs. Highly Recommended.

Power!!...really strong voice...I give a 10 to Stiff Little Fingers...
My favorite song...all of 'em!

I had read an article that said only immflamble material was good. Boy were they wrong. This album is even better if you ask me, they start to stray from traditional punk a little bit, but that only makes this album better. So don't listen to those punk purist and do yourself a favor and pick this CD up.

When I heard this band's debut album some months ago I was impressed with it enough to give it 5/5...the first time I'd given that score to a punk band. Australian band The Saints also got that score for their second album "Eternally yours". SLF's is definitely a big step down in quality for the band, but it doesn't sink as low as The Clash' second effort "Give 'em enough rope". This is a consistent album, but no world beater. Early on in the album it sounds like the lead singer is singing from behind an electric fan turned up to "3". Not a fan of this effect. On second listen I found what you'd call the "B" side of this album slightly more engaging...score went up to 62.5 from 60/100. The drumming on the album is solid and interesting. Bass guitar sounds interesting too. Album run time is 62:51, but the final track is an extended interview with the singer...not sure...think it runs some 15 to 20 minutes...not something you'd choose to listen to every time you play this album.


The best songs (on second listen):


At the edge - has a "Friday on my mind" type guitar intro (mid 1960s song by Australian act The Easybeats). Lyrics are reflective. You get that gravelly vocal tone I mentioned earlier...sounds like he is singing from behind an electric fan. Maybe a sort of catchy song. Has a 1950s style lead guitar break.

Doesn't make it alright - gets into a reggae groove and has an interesting drum tone. Notable for the bass playing...has it playing melody on this track. Might add this song to a list I have of favourite songs for the bass guitar parts. Reflective lyrics again, and fortunately the singer's voice sounds normal for the most part in this song.

Tin soldiers - starts with a sort of disco beat/bass playing. Guitar vibe is of the boogie rock variety. It then goes into a barking punk rock song. Has military style backing vocals.

Straw dogs - A bonus track. Has a sort of "She keeps no secrets" intro (a later song by Australian hard rock act The Angels). Fuzz rock guitar sound. Some pounding drums at times. Lyrics are cutting at times.


The rest:


Gotta gettaway - sorta boogie rock start, funky bass, hard to understand lyrics. Develops a more punk rock style afterwards. Has backing vocals, throaty yelling and the riff sounds a bit like you'd hear on MTV promos...not sure if MTV 'borrowed' that from Gary Numan's "Bombers" (I think it was called).

Wait and see - personal lyrics relating to their band. Bassy, sing-song lyrics like the previous one. Vocals are toned down from the previous track.

Fly the flag - lyrics about the kind of nation that they want, I think. Bassy, has backing vocals, lead and rhythm guitar.

Nobody's here - more gravelly, phlegmy, singing behind an electric fan type vocal sound.

Bloody dub - a bassy instrumental with an interesting drum tone to it...not sure if the percussion is from tom tom drums or something similar. Maybe has a reggae vibe to the song. A more laid back groove from the band. A bit jammy and experimental. Not bad.

I don't like you - parts of this song remind me of the intro to the US sit-com "Friends" theme! Lyrics are really nasty and cruel. Not sure what the story behind them is...be interesting to find out. Has hand clap percussion. Vocals toned again.

No change - familiar guitar melody...touch of the Woody Woodpecker to it. Normal sounding vocals. Bassy.

Bloody Sunday - A bonus track. intro is vaguely "Prisoner of society" (terrific song by Australian punkabilly band The Living End...their song came after this one though). As with The Living End, this song may feature the double bass. Vocal intro has a touch of death metal vocal technique to it. Not a song about the infamous massacre by the British.

You can't say crap on the radio - another bonus track. Has a Dickies vibe to it (I just know their punk take on the theme song to "The banana splits show").

Interview with Jake Burns - this is apparently the second part of an interview which features in new releases of their classic debut album "Inflammable material". Jake is engaging and has amusing stories to tell...e.g. the one about getting a new drummer and their appearance on the British music programme "Top of the pops".


Recommendations:


Stiff Little Fingers - Inflammable material. 5/5. Pure punk rock.

The Saints - Eternally yours (5/5); (I'm) Stranded (85/100). Pioneering punk album ((I'm) Stranded) and post-punk album (Eternally yours).

The Damned - Damned, damned damned. Pioneering English pub punk-rock album. 4/5.

AC/DC - Powerage. Like "Nobody's heroes", this album doesn't have any stand out tracks, but it does have an extremely grating guitar sound. Not a fave album of mine, but if you like this SLF album, you may like this.

This is the real deal. Do yourself a favor and purchase this album!

PROTECTED CD WONT PLAY PROPERLY ON COMPUTER. Great cd but not for you if you want to rip it.