Album Review: Wonk Unit - "Uncle Daddy"

 

Croydon lo-fi punk perennials Wonk Unit are one of those bands who are difficult to categorise. Lo-fi in the extreme, they've existed for over two decades doggedly ploughing their own musical furrow and with Uncle Daddy, they've delivered another off-kilter and enjoyable album.

The nearest band I can think to really compare Wonk Unit to are Snuff - they've got a similarly ferocious spit 'n' sawdust energy to them as evidenced on songs like Green Eyed Monster and Strength but when the mood takes them they can do straight ahead pop-punk (Strength or I'm OK which sounds oddly like the Housemartins covering the Gin Blossoms but somehow works really well) or full on thrash (My Blood) and even sunny ska (Gospel of Love). Lyrically, they're no less skewiff from ferocious tirades about domestic disputes (Stop) through feral political anger (Traditional Punk Song and the anti-hunting Bloodlust) and social commentary (Disco Fever) to stuff that's out-and-out surreal (Profiteroles). The female vocals on Raise My Glass and Bloodstains even remind me of Alice Nutter from Chumbawamba a bit which is never a bad thing.

I suspect that there's more than a few journalists down the years who've ripped several clumps of hair out trying to get a handle on Wonk Unit's sound but isn't that what the spirit of punk was always supposed to be about? The important bit is that for all their weirdness and willingness to think outside the box (which are qualities to be applauded), they're also a band with an undeniable knack for a decent hook and memorable chorus in with all the insanity and it's this which makes them a bit of a national treasure when it comes to Britpunk in this writer's humble opinion. Much like a lot of their output, this is anything but an easy album to get your head around but persevere for two or three listens and it'll quickly worm its way into your regular listening and steadfastly refuse to leave.

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NITE SONGS RATING: 🌖🌖🌖🌖🌖🌖🌖🌖🌑🌑 (8/10)

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