Someone once said that the only good thing to come out of Lurgan was the train to Belfast; they obviously had never encountered the Bonnevilles, a band that are synonymous with high energy, in-your-face blues/punk/garage/thrash; one thing is for certain, Andrew McGibbon Jr on guitar and Christopher McMullan on drums know how to make noise
‘Not a Penny for the Earl’ was not perhaps an obvious opening track, but is a little piece of beauty nonetheless. A slow slide guitar tune with references to protests of the past and Andy McGibbon Jr’s involvement in the current campaign to save Lough Neagh, this manages to merge delta blues and Irish trad. It’s not the only piece of agit-pop on the record; ‘Age Of Monsters’ is powerful and pretty relevant political anti-war statement, built around a very 60’s fuzz-tone/overdriven guitar riff. Later on the album, ‘Awaken From Slumber’ also tackles issues about working class identity and solidarity while Daedalus deals with the potential death of our planet and the human race
It’s not all doom and gloom though, ‘Two Big Fizzies’ made this reviewer laugh a little, since this (plus a vitamin tablet) are a personal and required post-binge recovery ritual. Having said that, the track is more reminiscent of the night before; frantic, manic and very shouty.
There are sounds and riffs throughout this album that resonate; the opening of ‘The Bais’ has a trace of Peter Gunn Theme, while the title ‘SHUDACUDAWUDA’ is allegedly a nod to Chuck Berry’s versatility when inventing new words when he needed to make something fit in a verse. Underneath, it is a song about realising that you maybe should have done things differently when faced with toll of turning and the associated physical and mental burnout.
Christopher McMullan’s tom-tom rhythm opens ‘Servant to Jesus’ and drives the tune along with some guitar embellishments. The story of a preacher who starts to believe his own hype made me think of the album cover art which features a Paisley-like individual in full flow whilst also being a decent foot-tapper. ‘Reflex Liar’ is also a lively and upbeat pop number. We still don’t know who the song is about though….
‘N.A.A.B.O.’ (Níl Aithreachas Ar Bith Orm or I have No Regrets) uses the AE Russell poem The Seer as it’s jumping off point and this is followed by what might be the only cover recorded thus far by the band – ‘Parchment Farm’ by Bukka White. It’s a no nonsense four-to-the-floor blues number with some well-judged keyboards from Mike Mormeecha. The album wraps up with ‘Guillotines’, a tight little country/americana number that seems to bounce along and kudos to Laura Kerr for the wonderful fiddle playing.
It’s been a while since the band have released new music (Dirty Photographs in 2018) and Age of Monsters is frankly, worth the wait displaying a breadth and depth that sucks the listener in and holds you in it’s grasp across the thirteen tracks.
Uncompromising as well as socially and politically relevant in parts; just plain fun in others – Age of Monsters is a welcome return for one of Northern Ireland’s most dynamic, energetic and enjoyable bands.
