When I first heard this track, I knew absolutely nothing about Sleadford Mods and I thought John Lydon was singing alongside lead singer Jason Williamson. It instantly reminded me of a Mark E. Smith type creation, and I immediately loved the direct delivery.
The hypnotic looped riff is simple, direct, and is a perfect vehicle for the montage of lyrics that follow.
The lyrics are delivered with a violent snarl, depicting interactions in the pub, opinions on the young and old and TCR car racing - delivery reminiscent in some ways of John Cooper Clarke. When I read the lyrics back, I was so impressed by the writing and overall flow: "The sharp night whistled around my coat, As I motioned up to the main road, The wails of your offspring behind ya, cracking window, It's hard, innit?"
I interpret TCR car racing as a metaphor for the repetitiveness of life. The first half discusses the experience of going to the pub, the characters encountered, and experiences that remind him of his youth: drinking too much, taking drugs, and going out. It offers the perspective of someone observing life cyclically, noting changes and trying to make sense of it all, mystified by the characters coming in and out of the pub, people he knows and once knew.
I might be reading too deeply into every verse, but I see it as a meditation on "everyday" life, the passing of time, and it's both depressing and entertaining. This is a recurring theme when discovering Sleaford Mods' music. I think they're brilliant!
Sleadford Mod's energy is directed at UK society, warts and all. Their songs represent the unpolished reality of working class life in the UK, something almost everyone can at least observe, but obviously not fully identify with. It may not be an attractive reality or fit elegantly in the current musical landscape, but it's distinct, real, sometimes deeply unpleasant, and extremely entertaining - and not in a patronising way. I don't have the slightest idea what genre it is, apparently its listed as "Electro-garage punk".
I love bands that remind me that great music comes from "real" people. Listening to Sleaford Mods feels like a grounding experience. In a musical landscape filled with incredible sonic sculptures, pyrotechnical vocals, and slick production, it's refreshing to hear something that strips away all the fat. The fact that they capture something equal parts depressing, heroic, and entertaining is a testament to their music and it feels honest without every appearing shallow, self indulgent or preachy!
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