Album Details

• Artist: Gallows
• Album: Grey Britain
• Label: Reprise
• Year of Release: 2009
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: patchen on 2010-04-06

At last, a British band claiming to be the greatest thing ever that is at least in the running for greatness! Gallows back up their ample self-hype with raw guitars, snotty socially aware lyrics and middle fingers raised in salute to the fall of civilization. "Grey Britain" is a testament that harkens back to the days when The Jam and The Clash filled the UK airwaves with serious meat to chew on.  But Gallows brand of public service announcements are a far less subtle than those bands.

But this is not totally a stripped down affair, as there are odd touches like Doom-inspired riffs and drum rolls, and the occasional ponderous, prog-ish jam. The power and conviction do not lag, though.

Aside from the Cockney accent, you'd swear that singer Frank Carter is Ian MacKaye circa 1989. His righteous screaming gives extra power to "Leeches," "I Dread The Night," and "Queensberry Rules," as if they needed any. While it is jarring to hear an odd prog break, or fuzzy vocal manipulation, this is all pile-driving, all the time.

I'd forgotten what it was like to listen to a band  being pissed by more than being dissed or not being recognized as geniuses. "Grey Britain" is perfect Great Recession music, raw fuel for many real reasons to be pissed off. Gallows are the real gobby spit in the eye. This is on Warner Bros.?

User Reviews and Comments

on 2009-12-02 dscanland Said:

Has anyone heard Grey Britain? I didn't even know Gallows had a new album out this year. Just found this one on a year end top list.
Not Rated