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Former Cell Mates

Who's Dead and What's to Pay? (2008)
Household Name Records

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Contributed by: dktr
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on July 25th 2008

London’s Household Name are back. The label that bought the UK punk scene its most popular acts earlier this millennium have returned with a handful of potentially exciting new releases.

First up is Former Cell Mates, a band who plays Leatherface-ish punk rock, meaning gruff vocals, strummed chords and a tinge of country. This isn’t any real big surprise considering that they hail from Sunderland (same city as Leatherface) and were formed by David lee Burdon, ex-Leatherface bassist, who writes everything.

The album works at a constant level: Bruce Springsteen punk, no real surprises (no jazz chords whatsoever), no real chances, no real changes. Burdon’s voice is somewhat an uneasy listen, being cleaner and sounding generally a bit drunk.

There’s nothing that really sets a spark going, but I’m sure it has its market: There seems to be enough (too much?) of this stuff going on in the UK as well as the US at the moment -- another band (even if it’s ex-Leatherface) is not really needed.

To paraphrase Sheryl Crow – a change - a change - a change would do us good.

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Dedricthere (June 20, 2010)

"Gypsy's curse" sounds like a mellow Hot water music and "Always" does sound like Leatherface (and it's epic !) but the rest is standard southern rock to me.

dudeagain (July 17, 2009)

Sorry, here's my score.

dudeagain (July 17, 2009)

I have had this CD for a year now, still in constant rotation. This is more Pub Rock than "Leatherface-ish punk rock". Davey's vocals are great, he sang "Grip" on the classic Leatherface album "Horsebox". Every song is good with the highlights being "Does He Make You Laugh?", "Why Would You Pray?" and "Gypsy's Curse". One of the best of 08 along with Dilling Four "Civil War" and Madison Bloodbath "Gettin' Loose".

taargus (June 24, 2009)

surely listing your occupation as a 'journalist' was in jest, right mate? awesome and informative review! I'm gonna go by some sheryl crow records now, bye.

RamblinBoyOfPleasure (July 31, 2008)

please do not review any more albums for punknews please,thats a joke!

dangerousbert (July 29, 2008)

Come on, call this a review? 'it's got no jazz chords'. bloody hell.

Knifetrader (July 26, 2008)

I can't comment on the album as I haven't listened to it yet, but they are one of the best live bands I saw all year long!!

blanktapesemptybottles (July 25, 2008)

their first album is good I did not know this came out

ddb43 (July 25, 2008)

Edit: do not due

ddb43 (July 25, 2008)

It kinda gets my head bobbing, but many other bands due this style better: The Gaslight Anthem and Nothington to name a couple.

Amsteel (July 25, 2008)

The first few songs sounded fresh and quite good. The country tinge started setting in, but I was still liking it. Then came the middle of the album, where I wish it would have ended. It drags on far too long and every song sounds too much like the last. It's plain and boring background music, there is really no point listening to it when there's dozens of bands in the same genre that do it better. However, it is better than 95% of music out there. I'd rather listen to this than most anything on the radio, metal, screamo or "nu emo". But again, others do what they're doing a bit better.