Album Review: Skint & Demoralised – This Sporting Life + bonus
The story of Skint & Demoralised is too long and complex to go into here, but suffice to say it was quite a surprise to see a new release from Skint & Demoralised, let alone the bonus inclusion of the long shelved debut. Made up of poet Matt Abbott and producer MiNI dOG, Skint & Demoralised’s songs revolve around teenage pursuits like getting high, getting the girl and getting pissed as well tackling social issues like unemployment and alcoholism. Abbott’s lyrical finesse and singing style (talking) bring the obvious comparisons with The Streets’ Mike Skinner, albeit with a Wakefield accent, though musically it’s more Northern Soul than ‘urban’.
Debut ‘Love and Other Catastrophes’ was recorded with record company money and though there are some good songs here, ‘Red Lipstick’ & ‘The Thrill of Thirty Seconds’ in particular, it suffers from over egged production; it’s far too polished for an album written from the downtrodden heart of a disillusioned teenage poet.
‘This Sporting Life’ however is a different story. Recorded in Abbott’s home studio it’s not lo-fi but MiNI dOG’s lean production suits the songs perfectly and the Northern Soul gives way to a more indie guitar sound. Of the ten tracks on ‘This Sporting Life’ my favourite by far is recent single ‘The Lonely Hearts of England’ a rallying cry for single men that reminds me of The Pogues’ ‘Sick Bed of Cuchulainn’. There are plenty of other treats here too, ‘Voluntary Confinement’ is a dark, cautionary tale of alcohol addiction as he sings of the aftermath of another night on the lash.while ‘Hogmanay Heroes’ is a blistering and shambolic New Year’s Eve anthem is going to get those feet tapping whether you want to or not. The album ends on a down with another song about alcoholism (something of a theme here), the emotive and aggressive ‘Low Life’ which sees Abbott about the spiralling descent into despair of using alcohol to get through the day. Great stuff. 8/10
Mark Cousens
Out 22nd August on Heist or Hit Records
