Review: The King Blues // Off With Their Heads - "Guess Who's Back and Pissed Off Again"

After disappearing for almost 4 years there's nothing quiet about The King Blues return. The album was initially blocked for release by iTunes and Facebook blocked them promoting their music video due to the political nature of the caption, the world has missed the kings of political punk. With an album titled 'Off With Their Heads' and with artwork appearing to depict a decapitated David Cameron, that gives you a good idea of the main theme of the record and it doesn't disappoint.

The first track, sharing it's name with the title of the album, opens with muffled sounds of someone talking before launching into "Guess who's back and pissed off again", and my goodness are they pissed off. After a politically raucous opening to the album the record proceeds to dip in and out of political messages in songs like 'Starting Fires' and 'Opposable Thumbs' but also flirts with personal issues in 'Words' and 'Pure Fucking Love'. This generally a theme in all The King Blues previous records and it just works on so many levels.

Despite these forays into personal relationships, the important message from this album is political. Messages expressing unhappiness with David Cameron's government are ever present. Also a deep dislike towards the attitude of people is clear in 'Opposable Thumbs': "Look how far we've come with our opposable thumbs" is an almost satirical or sarcastic lyric, reflecting on the fact we take everything we have now for granted and dont appreciate where we've come from.

The overall feel of this album is that they are back with a bang, sick and fed up of what's going on in the world, and particularly fed up with the government. For many people in the older generation it'll feel like a modern version of the punk generated in the early 70's and for the modern generation The King Blues offer a message and music to believe in.

Over the last few years I have witnessed a slow revival of punk rock, starting with bands like Slaves and Sleaford Mods contributing to bringing the style of music and the lyrical meanings to the public eye. The King Blues tie this together brilliantly and the new album is another step in the right direction.

A politically charged masterpiece, revival of punk is on it's way - 8.5/10

-Luke

i've seen this pig fucking government dropping bombs for peace, slashing benefits, turning venues and clubs into coffee...
Posted by The King Blues on Friday, 12 February 2016