This record's been a long time coming, but it's been worth the wait!
Sixteen years since the release of their last album, ‘Volatile Molotov‘, The Arrivals are back with a new one. That 2010 release was a showcase for their many influences, not just punk but mod, rock and so much more. That album made for an excellent listen, with the massive earworm that is ‘Simple Pleasures In America’ showcasing the bands ability to mix and match different feelings to create memorable music.(Disclaimer: in writing this review I made the mistake of revisiting ‘Simple Pleasures‘ and had to wait a day for it to get out of my head so I could continue…)
Hailing from Blue Island, just south of Detroit, The band, Paddy Costello (Bass), Issac Thotz (Vocals/Guitar), Ronnie DeCola (Drums) and Little Dave Merriman (Vocals/Guitar) cite numerous musical styles in influencing their own direction. This is often clearly reflected in their work without them becoming straight up copies. Where in some moments Paddy’s bass playing pays tribute to the style of Bruce Foxton it’s still HIS style. At points you get a feel of the influences but that is just a reflection of the abilities of The Arrivals to craft quality, original songs. We are all shaped by things that accompany us through our lives, that is what makes us who we are. This is who The Arrivals are, a place where the past and the future combine, this is their ‘Payload’.
The album opens with ‘When It’s Gone‘, a solid foot stomper of a tune, the rawness of the vocal balanced by the lightness of the lead guitar. It’s a good opener, letting you get a feel for the band and their style.
‘Drill Baby Drill’ – if ever you wanted to know how to take a depressing, dystopian, end-of-days topic like the over exploitation of Earth’s natural resources and make it into a bouncing little punk tune, well, wonder no more. A grinding, grating guitar, brimming with anger, drives the beat and reflects the fury of the lyrics, before the songs grinds to an intentionally disjointed climax.
Track three, ‘Just Like My Brother’. Driven by a thumping, rolling drum pattern this track starts with a slightly delicate guitar part before launching into a swirling joyful verse, the slightly melancholy delivery of the lyrics adding feeling and power to the words. This is further emphasised during the breaks, when the title is repeated with minimal accompaniment. This is a seriously good, catchy tune with strong hooks and rises toward a powerful conclusion.
In ‘Motivation’, jagged guitar and power chords are accompanied by a vocal delivery reminiscent of Phil Lynott. Short, compact, the song reflects its lyrics perfectly. On‘Iron Curtain’, there’s more darkness of subject matter with a chorus that manages to be both uplifting and melancholy at the same time. It’s another example of The Arrivals’ ability to work light touches of guitar into a heavy tune, a surprisingly comfortable sound.
Using the narrative of an American soldier in Iraq for its subject matter, ‘Sound Of Bombs’ is a journey through time and tone. The relaying of the emotions of a combat damaged person and the impact of the desensitising destruction of war are reflected in the lyrics and contrasted by an almost breezy chorus.
The rockstomp opening of ‘This Is What It Feels Like’ fairly bounces along before an almost REM feeling chorus and the mid section hits. A wonderful, simple, effective tune. Followed by another change in musical direction with ‘Love Is Easy’ – a light and breezy 60’s pop tune with a vocal delivery full of strain and quaver that adds another layer of emotion, which elevates the song a notch.
Staying in the 60’s, although with a more garage band feel, is ‘Shake’. A tune that bounces along with a feeling of comfortable familiarity but still manages to be fresh and vibrant.
The biggest compliment I can pay to ‘January 7th’ is that this concise and angry number feels like it should have been written by Steve Earle on speed. There’s a playful country/punk energy at play here and it really doesn’t need anything else adding. As joyful as a song reflecting on the division of modern politics can be.
And so to the album’s Magnum Opus, ‘The Wretched Of The Earth (Parts 1-3)’. Opening with a bounce, the almost conversational vocal delivery contrasts with jagged guitar and powerful bass and drums, Part one rolls along before giving way to the heavy metal and country guitar of the second stanza, the snare drum speeding up until they go full Muse. This is big venue music, it needs space for it to flow. This is the sound of a confident and comfortable band.
There’s a lot to love about this release, both musically and lyrically, There’s a saying “Good things come to those who wait”; ‘Payload’ proves that saying to be true.
Out on 17th April via Recess Records, get your hands on a limited edition Opaque Blue or Opaque Yellow LP HERE, or download ‘Payload’ digitally from HERE
Main Photo Credit: JOHN OAKES
- When It’s Gone
- Drill Baby Drill
- Just Like My Brother
- Motivation
- Iron Curtain
- Sound Of Bombs
- This Is What It Feels Like
- Love Is Easy
- Shake
- January 7th
- The Wretched Of The Earth: Guns, Germs, Steel
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Heavily influenced by an older brother, I discovered a love of music at an early age, initially with Punk but eventually with pretty much everything. I play guitar and bass to a very low standard and regularly ‘entertain’ my family and dogs with unwanted noise. I am usually found at the back of both gigs and football matches!
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