This just in: guitar and drums aren’t dead. Who’d have thought it? In an age where every man, woman, and dog seem to only use synths and drum pads, Sydney two-piece Polish Club have gone about releasing a blistering debut album. On the back of a couple years crafting their blues and garage rock sound, Alright Already showcases the raw simplicity of what a voice, drums and guitar can actually create.
Opening up the LP is “Where U Been”, a blistering two-minute onslaught that jumps the starters gun in its anticipation to try melt your face. Having expected Alright Already to tread much the same path as their earlier singles, you’re left thoroughly pleased with what “Where U Been” has to offer. Up next is lead single “Come Party”, which is probably the most accessible of the 14 tracks on the album. Telling the listener to ‘have fun later, come party with me’, you’re more than likely to take their offer up immediately.
The blues infused “If It Was Me” tells the tale of a friend who constantly falls in love way too quick and leaves their friends to pick up the pieces of the inevitable heartbreak. The opening two-and-half minutes plays itself out without too much adventure, before going supernova and smashing the closing minute.
The verses of “Watchuknow” has a real 1970’s Beach Boys-ish charm to it, with the riff proving to be simple yet effective through out the run of the track. The initially desperately dour “How To Be Alone” paints a very sad picture of loss and removal, with the chorus key change possibly the best moment of the album.
One thing you have to take note of on Alright Already is the voice of frontman Novak. With a singing history running through his veins, his vocal chops are probably the strength of the band. That, and the frenetic drumming of John-Henry. I’ve seen plenty of bands live, but never have I seen a drummer work so hard for the entirety of a set. This is pretty evident on “Shark Attack”, a real summery jaunt that mirrors the raw, unedited recordings you come to expect from Polish Club.
As the album hits the closing tracks, Polish Club introduce the first out-and-out love song of the album, in “Divided”; while “My Delight” treads a little too close to sounding like early single “Did Somebody Tell Me”. Album closer “Red River Rock” sounds like that time you went to Oktoberfest, had way too many beers, but absolutely frothed on the German Oompah band.
If I had to make one slightly negative comment it would centre on the inclusion of previously released tracks “Beat Up”, “Beeping”, and “Able”. Which isn’t to say that they’re bad, because they’re not. I’d have just liked for the album to be full of debut tracks. But you know, the three aforementioned tracks are all tunes, so there are definitely worse things in the world to complain about.
For a first up album, Polish Club have kept to their strengths and delivered an album that will without a doubt sound shit-hot in a live setting. Drums and guitar aren’t dead, that’s for sure. And with Easter around the corner, maybe Polish Club are the new Messiah’s of Australian rock?
Review Score: 7.7 out of 10.
Alright Already is out now.
Polish Club tour Alright Already nationally throughout May and June.
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