Album Reviews

- by Christophe Vanheygen

It’s hard to grade a band for an album you simply expected them to make. Let’s be honest here: did you really think Iron Chic would change its musical course 180° and go all synth-pop on you?

No.

Did you think ‘You Can’t Stay Here’ would be a record that sounds slightly better than ‘The Constant One’ and that– since it took four years to make – would be a very focused, coherent and rather brilliant record that prompts poor reviewers to write sentences that are way too long for your debilitated attention span?

Yes.

And they did. Iron Chic never rocked harder. They never sounded better. They never before put a smile this wide on your face. You better realize this is without a doubt the punk rock record of the year.

Tracks like lead single ‘My Best Friend (Is a Nihilist)’ the catchy-as-a-common-cold ‘Profane Geometry’ and that epic ending in ‘Golgotha’ prove the Iron Chic-dudes have even perfected their already tasty recipe.

So … no surprises, huh?

Well, there is one. The first half of ‘Ruinous Calamity’ is acoustic and heartfelt until it bursts into an incredible punk rock waltz of loud guitars, emotions and singalongs. It’s the highlight of all highlights on your punk rock highlight of the year. Or something like it

If this album doesn’t cement their status as the biggest darlings for 30-something punk rockers looking for some melody, melancholy and mid-tempo shout-along tunes … nothing probably will.

Shit, I think I’m in love. With an album. My girlfriend isn’t going to like this.

Track listing:

1. A Headache With Pictures
2. My Best Friend (Is A Nihilist)
3. You Can't Stay Safe
4. Let's. Get. Dangerous.
5. Thunderbolts!
6. Planes, Chest Pains, and Automobiles
7. Golgotha
8. Profane Geometry
9. Invisible Ink
10. Ruinous Calamity
11. To Shreds, You Say?