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Eschewing the raw and gritty Stooges-inspired sound of their debut, the Saints opted for a generally brighter, breezier and altogether smarter brand of Pop Punk on their second long player. This step-forward is evidenced immediately on the opening track, “Know Your Product”, which blasts in magnificently, with a brass section that wouldn’t be out of place on a top-notch Memphis soul session. These are new thoughts, new ideas, and it’s all so groovy. Ed Kuepper steps up for some excellent vocal interplay with Chris Bailey (they should have done more of that) on “Private Affair”, and when the latter sings “not everybody wants to look the same, and not everybody wants to think the same, not everybody wants to act the same, and everybody don’t want to be the same” you can’t help but nod in appreciation; there’s more to this lot than fashion statements and mindless riffs. “No, Your Product” rises gloriously with a measured aggression; it’s a sensational masterwork of the new intelligent Punk classes. It almost seems to be borne of the classic ’77 single, “This Perfect Day” which immediately follows. This quick one-two leaves most pretenders on the canvas. The adventurous spirit is to the fore once again on “Run Down”, with some wild harmonica that could have made in Chicago if you didn’t know any better. The horns are back on “Orstralia”, panning all over the place and invoking much excitement. Heck, I almost feel like… dancing. Blimey. Isn’t Punk growing up quickly?
The Jukebox Rebel
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