Album Review: The Vibrators - "Fall Into The Sky"

 

In the wake of veteran punks the UK Subs announcing that their recent album would be their last, it's sad to see fellow class of '77 veterans the Vibrators also deciding to call it a day after this release (although given that Knox, like Charlie Harper, is now pushing 80 years old, it's fair to say that the guy's probably earned his rest!). The group have certainly been a tenacious lot and have chucked out their fair share of underappreciated classics in their time so I was hopeful going into listening to this that they'd be able to sign off on a high note.

And I'm happy to report that they have - essentially Fall Into The Sky is a classic Vibrators album blending that mix of fired up punk and classic scuzzed-up rock 'n' roll that was always the calling card of their best stuff. It's good to see He's A Psycho, a song which dates back to the group's earliest days, given a proper release after all this time and the frenetic two minute blast is one of the highlights here while elsewhere the likes of Burning Me Up and Battlefield are the classic Knox sound writ large and Tomorrow and Love's Changed show the group's more mid-paced thoughtful side to good effect. There's a bit of variety here as well which is to be commended - the pounding jungle drums on Devil's Playground being a good example as is the slow-fast dynamic of Brain Failure. The pure pop of Part Of Your World is another highlight and you might just find a lump rising to your throat during the laid back closer So Long, a gentle farewell from Knox to the fans.

Similar to the Subs before them, the Vibrators have definitely picked a high note to go out on with this album and it's a good reminder of everything that's made them such an underrated band down the years. Cheers lads, it's been a blast.

Bandcamp Link

NITE SONGS RATING: 🌔🌔🌔🌔🌔🌔🌔🌔🌑🌑 (8/10)

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