Daggerplay
Subterranean Reality
Independent
Subterranean Reality is the newest release from Finlandβs pop punk heroes Daggerplay, and one can only imagine that it was every bit as fun to record as it is to listen to. Imagine the Pogues meets the Pixies with guest appearances from the Clash and Reverend Horton Heat.Β Ska beats dominate the rollicking tempo throughout the album, which is Daggerplayβs second.
The album opens with βRed Skyβ, an instrumental tribute to retro guitars and cult movie car chase scenes. Although itβs a standout from the rest of the album, it also manages to set the stage for the remaining 13 tracks. βDays Like Theseβ is power chord driven, and upbeat enough to get anyone paying attention to sing along. Meanwhile, βFour Wallsβ is the only track devoted to expressing angst in a way that feels something other than optimistic.
βKillburn Highroadβ, together with βSame Old, Same Oldβ, put the Irish drinking song vibe front and center. The two songs are nestled smack dab in the middle of the album and donβt sound out of place at all, despite having a distinctly different sound. The closing song βSinister Bluesβ is aptly named.Β It starts off with a sleepy swinging beat before abruptly charging into a blissfully chaotic, guitar driven anthem.
Subterranean Reality is a punk album that is likely to win the hearts of punk fans of every subgenre and convert a few pop fans in the process.
ArtistΒ Links
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: DAGGERPLAY – SUBTERRANEAN REALITY
Mariko Margetson