The Old Firm Casuals - Wartime Rock 'N' Roll

Rebellion Records

 

The old firm is back... again! Truth is, The Old Firm Casuals never really left, but if you compare the amount of releases from before and after 2014's full-length debut "This Means War", the numbers definitely decreased. To some that is good news (haters keep on hating), but personally I enjoyed every single release, yes all 15+ of 'em, simply because The Old Firm's repertoire is full of crackin' tunes! Now with their upcoming release, the "Wartime Rock 'N' Roll" 12" for Rebellion Records, four new titles can be added to this ever-growing list and it includes some of their best work to date!

 

A track that, in my opinion, can be considered as some of their best work to date is opener "Hell's A Lot Better". Combining the best of both the early The Sweet and Rose Tattoo, this rousing scorcher combines boot-stomping junkshop rhythm, a hand-clapping beat and some down (South / Under) and dirty slide guitars, while the raw and gritty lead-vocals of bassist Casey Watson and The Old Firm's significant production still give it the Casuals' sound for the full 100%. Superb!

 

With "Hell's A Lot Better" being Casey's only 'lead-vocal contribution' to "Wartime Rock 'N' Roll", Lars 'Oxley' Frederiksen takes over the vocal duties for the remaining part of the 12". Ever since I heard him sing the first few lines of Rancid's "Nihilism" I've been a fan of his vocals, only being underscored once again by the two songs that follow up, "Sex Case" and "1312". Although both spitting fire in that typical, up-tempo OFC-manner, the best is saved for last though with title-track "Wartime Rock 'N' Roll". Despite that it nearly clocks the five-minute mark (only two seconds short), this is one of those songs I could just keep listening to over and over again. Mid-tempo, anthemic, heavyhearted but so powerful at the same time, the song is well-structured and builds up to its grand finale. Did I already mention that some of The Old Firm Casuals' best work is on this 12"?

 

As a bonus, the CD-version of "Wartime Rock 'N' Roll" features a fifth track. "Sanctuary City", taken off last year's split single with the almighty Sheer Terror (released through Pitchfork Label), is short, sharp and previously unreleased on CD. However, the bonus of the vinyl version is that all the music is pressed on one side, while the flipside of the black or gold colored vinyl is covered with an etch. Mike Fatskin would describe this as a 'burner', and a burner it is indeed!