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Barn Burner: Bangers II - Scum of the earth

20/07/11 || revenant

What the fuck? Barn Burner have a new album out already? Shit, it feels like only yesterday I discovered this mob and reviewed their previous album “Bangers”. Now here we are, less than a year later I’m reviewing their follow up “Bangers II – Scum of the Earth”. Wait, they didn’t call it “Mash”? Damn.

So if you remember my previous review (or cheated and looked over it by clicking the above link) you may remember I described Barn Burner’s sound as up tempo guitar driven stoner rock. I can tell you right now that there’s been zero fucken change since then. In fact, naming the album “Bangers II” is a pretty good summation of what this album delivers, because this really does feel like a natural sequel. Oh there are some slight differences. The production is much meatier for one thing (though still very much a stoner sound). The lead singer has worked a bit on his vocals (there was a lot of criticism around the first album that he was too monotone. I personally didn’t mind the performance because the riffing and tempo changes around his vocals did cover his lack of range) plus he also throws in the odd growl or too along the way. Other than that, though, this album falls right out of the same mold.

As with their first, Barn Burner throw a lot of different styles together in “Bangers II”. Whilst their mainstay is infectious groovy riffing (see “Keg Stand and Deliver” or “Crushing Defeat”), the do mix it with fast, almost thrashy moments (“Scum of the Earth”), crushing doomier tracks (“Dark Side of the Barn” – yes almost all these songs have stupid names) and an epic heavy monolith (“The Earth’s Crust”). One thing they all have in common, though, is great riffing and incredible catchiness. There is, however, enough variety across the album that you could probably find a number of fans who will all have different favourites from the album. Mine? Probably “Scum of the Earth” for it’s pace and incredible catchiness or “The Earth’s Crust” for it’s epic dark feel. Or maybe even “Keg Stand and Deliver” for it’s ace grooves. Shit, there are a few candidates going here.

Unfortunately it’s not completely consistent across the album and there are a few songs where I just don’t feel it. “Skid Marks the Spot” is quite catchy, but I find it hard to like for it’s stupid title and lyrics. Why exactly does the skid mark? The spot where a turd stuck it’s nose out of your arsehole? Jeeeesus. “Brother Fear” and “Ghost Jam” likewise don’t tickle Rev’s bone.

All in all though, I’m pretty happy with this disc. I’m not loving it as much as I loved the first “Bangers”, but I’m satisfied enough to continue to want to hear more from the band. Their ability to write catchy, guitar driven music with ace riffs is satisfying but not world beating. It should be needless to say if you enjoyed the first, you’ll enjoy this as well. “Bangers II” is a worthy sequel but, given I don’t feel it quite as much as the first, I’ll take half a mark off the score I gave the first, leaving…

7,5

Information
Released: 2011
Label: Metal Blade Records
Website: Barn Burner MySpace
Band
K. Keaglesmith: vocals, guitars
Marc and the Doucettes: guitars
Rick “Rocket” Richarde: bass
“Salut” Taylor: drums

Tracklist
1. Scum Of The Earth
2. Dark Side Of The Barn
3. Gate Creeper
4. Keg Stand And Deliver
5. The Earth’s Crust
6. Quest For The Cube
7. Brother Fear
8. Skid Marks The Spot
9. Crushing Defeat
10. Ghost Jam

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