UK Subs – 2006 – 2016 The Jet Age
UK Subs – 2006 – 2016 The Jet Age
Cherry Red Records
Release Date: 25/08/2023
Running Time: 03:40:00
Review by: Alun Jones
9/10
Welcome back, folks, to Platinum Al’s Punk Rock Corner, here at Ever Metal HQ. The eagle eyed and elephant brained amongst you will recall that we’ve already reviewed some of these UK Subs albums, although that was in their delicious vinyl form. This time around, our mates at Cherry Red have lovingly curated a five CD set of Subs albums, together with a healthy bunch of bonus tracks to make this a tantalising package.
We’ve already discussed, in previous reviews, how UK Subs mastermind Charlie Harper has overseen an alphabetical run of albums with titles from A to Z. This compilation gathers together the final parts of that run, from W to Z (though to be honest, these Subs nutters didn’t even stop at Z, they kept going). Thus, listeners are gifted with an indispensable collection that covers output from the exceptionally strong line up of Harper, Jet Taniguchi, Alvin Gibbs and Jamie Oliver (not that one).
I’d be a pretentious fool if I didn’t tackle these albums in alphabetical / chronological order, so let’s jump in with “Work in Progress”. This is probably my favourite of all the albums in this collection, though accepting the high standard on offer, I have no reason why. It’s a rambunctious bundle of high-speed punk rock: ‘Creation’, ‘All Blurs into One’; coupled with clever ventures into rockabilly (‘Eighteen Wheels’) and more. The wonderful ‘Hell is Other People’ has become something of a personal anthem for me, and it will for you, too! This disc includes seven bonus tracks, comprising some old Subs classics and new bruisers such as the joyously MC5 sounding ‘666 Yeah’.
From W we’re on to X, with “XXIV” – and more fast’n furious punk rock shenanigans with ‘Implosion 77’, ‘Monkeys’ and ‘Momento Mori’ – just for example. The Subs aren’t afraid to go off tangent with the jangly acoustic guitar with attitude of ‘Coalition Government Blues’ and R&B energy of ‘Wreckin’ Ball’. There’s just one bonus track this time, the riotous and righteous co-operative anthem of ‘Workers Beer Company’, rounding off another solid and varied album.
“Yellow Leader” may or not have been written concerning a certain political party leader, you’ll have to listen and decide for yourself. What I do know is that this album kicks off in supreme style with the frenetic pace of ‘Sick Velveteen’, bouncy thump of ‘Artificial’ and blues punk of ‘Bordeaux Red’. ‘Chemical’ sounds almost metal, ‘Rebellion Song’ is an acoustic punk protest song and ‘Sin City Blues’ throws in some welcome Rockabilly, creating another multi-faceted and accomplished recording.
Eventually, Charlie and the lads completed their mission from A to Z, with the monster that is “Ziezo”. The end may be in sight, but the UK Subs don’t take their foot off the gas – as proven by tracks such as ‘Oligarchy’, ‘Banksy’ and ‘This Machine’ fulfilling the full throttle end of the punk rock promise. The pallet is embellished by the punk-blues of ‘Disclosure’ and jaunty ska of ‘City of the Dead’, delivering a fine album that’s accomplished and enjoyable.
So we’ve reached the end of the alphabet, kids – but that’s not quite the end of our story here. The set also includes “Acoustic XXIV”, an album comprising of acoustic tracks that were originally packaged with a limited edition version of “XXIV”. I had assumed the songs here would merely be acoustic versions of songs from that parent album, but far from it. There are thirteen songs making a surprisingly great change of pace. Comprising of the folk punk (‘Sleeping Rough’)’ and protest songs (‘Stop Global War’), it’s an accomplished and satisfying listen in it’s own right. I could imagine Johnny Cash having a go at ‘Higher Tide’, and I think that’s some compliment indeed.
Who would’ve guessed that the UK Subs would actually fulfil their aim and complete this bonkers endeavour, releasing an album for every letter of the alphabet? Punk rock wasn’t supposed to burn this brightly for so long, but it has. What’s more, the UK Subs haven’t let their standards slip – these final albums in the run are as strong as anything they’ve released in their long career. Genuinely brilliant. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you – UK SUBS.
TRACKLISTING:
DISC ONE – WORK IN PROGRESS
01. Creation
02. Tokyo Rose
03. Hell Is Other People
04. The Axe
05. Radio Unfriendly
06. This Chaos
07. Guru
08. Eighteen Wheels
09. Children Of The Flood
10. All Blurs Into One
11. Blood
12. Rock N Roll Whore
13. Strychnine
14. Robot Age
15. 666Yeah
16. Straighten Out
17. I Live In A Car 2008
18. Creation
19. Warhead 2008
20. Straighten Out 2008
21 Knuckleduster
DISC TWO – XXIV
01. Implosion 77
02. Coalition Government Blues
03. Speed
04. Rabid
05. Monkeys
06. Black Power Salute
07. Las Vegas Wedding
08. Stare At The Sun
09. Garden Of Good And Evil
10. Workers Revolution
11. Wreckin’ Ball
12. Detox
13. Failed State
14. Momento Mori
15. Workers Beer Company
DISC THREE – YELLOW LEADER
01. Sick Velveteen
02. Artificial
03. Bordeaux Red
04. Chemical
05. Deconstruct
06. Diatribe
07. Feed The Whore
08. Heathens
09. Prime Evil
10. Rebellion Song
11. Sin City Blues
12. Slave
13. Big Bug
14. Suicidal Girl
15. Virus
16. Cry Wolf
17 Archaeology
DISC FOUR – ZIEZO
01. Polarisation
02. Oligarchy
03. I’ve Got A Gun
04. Evil Vs Evil
05. Proto Feminist
06. Disclosure
07. Rise
08. World War III
09. Dope Fiend
10. I Don’t Care
11. Master Race
12. Banksy
13. This Machine
14. City Of The Dead
15. Maid Of Orleans
16. Zeitgeist
DISC FIVE – ACOUSTIC XXIV
01. Angel Of Eighth Avenue
02. Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind
03. Metamorphosis
04. Sleeping Rough
05. Souls From Hell
06. Stop Global War
07. Four Strong Winds
08. Higher Tide
09. The Outsider
10. Thunders In The Rain
11. Stormy Day
12. Little Black Crow
13. Hard Times Cafe
LINE-UP:
Charlie Harper – Vocals / Harmonica
Jet Taniguchi – Guitar
Alvin Gibbs – Bass
Jamie Oliver – Drums
LINKS:
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