I never heard Close Shave’s third full-length “Lone Riders” which was released by Dim Records back in 1992, but to me the band’s debut “Oi! Kinnock Give Us Back Our Rose” (1988) and their sophomore album “Hard As Nails” (1990), both released by legendary Link Records, can be considered as British Oi! classics. After a radio silence of many, many years, the band reformed a couple of years ago and after last years live album “Made In Brum” the band is now back with the brand new studio album “Bad Reputation”, 21 years after “Lone Riders”!

 

I guess the album title suits the band well, because Close Shave does kind of have a bad reputation when it comes down to politics. But Close Shave never got themselves mixed into extreme politics of any kind, so don’t listen to the bullshit people try to tell you and instead give “Bad Reputation” a listen, because even though the bandmembers in Close Shave aren’t the youngest guys on the block anymore they still know how to lay down an awesome Oi! album after all these years!

 

“Bad Reputation” holds 12 brand new Close Shave tracks, of which 3 are covers. “Can’t Stand Northern Soul!” by Anti-Nowhere League, “You’re Wondering Now” written by Clement Dodd (but performed by the likes of The Skatalites, The Specials and even Amy Winehouse, just to name a few) and “Attitude/Bad Reputation” which is a mash up from The Misfits’ and Joan Jett’s originals. Altough the covers songs are good and fun to listen to the real power lies within Close Shave’s own tracks. Because maybe with the exception of “Nightbus (962) To Chelmsley Wood” there isn’t a single weak track on “Bad Reputation”, quite the opposite actually. There’s so much power and strength in both music and lyrics by Close Shave that make this album a pleassure to listen to. From the strong opener “The Real Oi!” to the impressive closing track “A Sappers Tale” you basicly get everything you would expect from a British Oi! classic in the works!

 

If you’re into Close Shave’s older stuff or bands like Section 5 (of which some members are also active in Close Shave), Condemned 84 and Combat 84 this is a no-brainer. Tough real Oi! music that is a must have for tough skins, punks and hooligans!