Album Review: The Hip Priests - "Solid Gold Easy Option"

 

In which Nottingham's premier filth wizards follow up their 2017 odds 'n' sods compilation Those Fuckin' Boys with a collection of the random stuff they've put out since then away from their excellent Stand For Nothing album from last year.

The Priests have always been an incredibly productive band and the 17 tracks on Solid Gold Easy Option show exactly why they've got such a rabid following. Tunes like Scene Is A Crime and Shithead Emperor see them ferociously taking aim at the "play it safe" mediocrity that comprises a depressing amount of modern music while covers of Motorhead's The Hammer and the Stooges' Loose show off their influences well as does the short sharp shock brutality of All My Rowdy Friends, a tribute to their heroes who are no longer with us.

They're far from a one trick pony though and the almost Mott the Hoople style swagger of She's A Queen shows they can switch the pace up as well especially when you contrast it with the excellent punked up likes of recent single Drink To My Demons. The ten minute No Time Like Right Now is a real showcase for the band as well, especially for those who missed the EP it came out on a couple of years ago taking in a horn section, female backing vocals and an insistent call to light the torches grab the pitchforks and march on Westminster. Stirring stuff.

I seem to end up saying this every time I review a Hip Priests album but if you're unfortunate enough not to have discovered this band yet then you really should put this right - start here and work your way backwards through their extensive catalogue, all of which is available on their Bandcamp page. Given the way this country seems to be heading towards a stark choice between super-capitalism or revolution they might just be the most vital band you discover this year.

NITE SONGS RATING: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑 (9/10)

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