The Plimptons are Cynical and Bloated is the fourth outing for the Glaswegian band and their supermarket own-brand version of DIY garage pop.
This is definitely the wrong album to listen to if you want floaty ambient waft, Keats-esque lyrics and lovingly crafted harmonies.
If you do want random noise, brilliant patter and catchy riffing then it’s seriously worth a few moments of your time.
If you don’t like one track, it doesn’t matter because within a few seconds another one will be on its way that you definitely will like.
Full of speedy, treble-y guitar riffs and half shouted lyrics it’s quite mesmerising in places.
‘Pride Comes Before a Fall’ has the catchiest little organ trill in it and the loveliest musical pause since The Auteurs’ ‘Show Girl’.
‘Never Going Back To Work’ is probably one of the most perfect punk records that never was, one of those songs that you hear once, wonder what it was and then spend the next few days humming in constantly.
‘I Learned To Dance’ makes you feel there is much more to the band than just thrashing around, while ‘Laziness and Fear’ has the most brilliant, driving bass line.
‘What Am I Going To Do Tonight?’ is a real surprise – half way through it turns into a lovely doo-wop melody that’s sweetly out of character with the rest of the album yet still manages to fit in.
If the album has one fault it’s just the fact that it can be a little bit samey in places, it’s not really even a bad thing.
There’s enough variety to just keep it solely out of complete thrash-punk territory.
Nice to note then, that last track ‘Last Two On The Piss’ is a beautifully slowed down number, and a fitting end to the album.
It’s so sweet, so unassuming and a really delicate masterstroke to pull off.
Words: Imogen Reed
You can download the album from The Plimptons – Bandcamp or get really cheap delivery on a CD copy from the same site.
