Leatherface

Leatherface: The Stormy PetrelThe Stormy Petrel (2010)
No Idea Records

Reviewer Rating: 4.5

User Rating:

Contributed by: thepopeofchili-townthepopeofchili-town
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Published on April 9th 2010The Stormy Petrel, the ninth album in a career spanning over two decades, arrives almost exactly six years after its predecessor, 2004's Dog Disco which was, undeniably, not their strongest showing. However, it appears the time off has done them a wealth of good, because The Stormy Petrel is a fanta.

The Stormy Petrel, the ninth album in a career spanning over two decades, arrives almost exactly six years after its predecessor, 2004's Dog Disco which was, undeniably, not their strongest showing. However, it appears the time off has done them a wealth of good, because The Stormy Petrel is a fantastic punk rock record in almost every way.

The album opens with "God Is Dead," which is atypical for a Leatherface opening track, to say the least. Its reggae-inspired guitar licks wouldn't feel out of place on the Police's 1981 career-high mark Ghost in the Machine. It's a strong if somewhat unexpected track, and as soon as it ends, we are treated to the rapid-fire punk rock of "My World Ends," which is reminiscent of the sound they had on 1992's Mush--but the group is not stuck in the past. Mid-album highlight "Another Dance" sounds as if it could have been written by a young band such as the Gaslight Anthem or the Loved Ones, and album closer "Hope," with its positive motivational lyrics and acoustic guitars, sounds like nothing else in the Leatherface catalog.

Since the mid-1990s, the group has been gradually becoming more accessible with each album, and they continue this trend here. It wouldn't be unfair to say that this is their poppiest album to date. If it weren't for Frankie Stubbs' raspy, almost Lemmy-esque vocals, tracks like "Never Say Goodbye" and "Broken" feel like they could be radio rock hits. That's not to say they've gone soft. The route they've taken on this album is comparable to Dillinger Four's C I V I L W A R: plenty of hooks, but still retaining the punk rock spirit they've always been known for.

On The Stormy Petrel, Leatherface manages to experiment with their signature sound a bit and still retain a sharp sense of focus. This record is a great addition to their already legendary back catalog, and while it's a bit soon to tell, I imagine come December, The Stormy Petrel will still stand tall as one of the best punk rock albums of 2010.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

bakla (June 8, 2010)

my favorite album since their Mush album. Was any one else at the We Must Dismantle All This gig in Las Vegas that broke out in a mini riot?

Dedricthere (April 23, 2010)

Great record once again. Leatherface can do no wrong !

the_creeps (April 13, 2010)

Can not get 'Another Dance' out of my head..... great record.

tris (April 12, 2010)

it's alright - I'm not sure how long I'll be listening to it once the 'newness' wears off, though. people are deluding themselves if they think this holds a candle to 'mush' or even 'horsebox'.

randalla (April 11, 2010)

possibly the most boring as batshit album i have ever had the displeasure to waste my money on.
awful

itsambertime (April 11, 2010)

Kind of underwhelming for a Leatherface record, but still just as good as most other bands releases

xshoutoutx (April 10, 2010)

Hogan, you're crazy if you think this anywhere even comes near some other LF releases... this might be the one you've invested the most time in, but it is certainly nowhere close to their best work (i.e. the correct answer is Mush!). This release is decent, not very well put together, but I'll be goddamned if "Belly Dancing Stoat" isn't one of the best songs of the year!!!

Hogan (April 10, 2010)

This is my favorite Leatherface album. The songs are very diverse. "Disgrace" is my favorite tune so far. If you bought the version from the UK (Big Ugly Fish Records) it comes on a (literally) red CD!

TheMike (April 10, 2010)

I like Stubbs' voice. It sounds weathered and gives the impression that he's enduring every pain filled lyric he's singing.

telegraphrocks (April 9, 2010)

I really can't stand that dudes voice. The music is good, and what that voice is saying might be "cool", but... dear god, that voice... completely ruins it.

FaithIsForFools (April 9, 2010)

Really? A fucking 9?
This shit is boring.

TheMike (April 9, 2010)

Dog Disco might be my favourite Leatherface album...

thepopeofchili-town (April 9, 2010)

"...which was, undeniably, not their strongest showing"? Who the fuck does this guy think he is? Dog Disco is a fantastic record."
It's no Mush.

thermonuclearwarrior (April 9, 2010)

"...which was, undeniably, not their strongest showing"? Who the fuck does this guy think he is? Dog Disco is a fantastic record.

TheMike (April 9, 2010)

"Belly Dancing Stoat" is by far my favourite song on this. "God is Dead" "Another Dance" and "Isn't Life Just Sweet" are also excellent.

Cos (April 9, 2010)

this record is so good I get misty eyed thinking about it. Dickie Hammond's return is obviously huge for the band its felt throughout the album. I haven't liked a punk album this much in a long time. Can't wait to see them.

mattramone (April 9, 2010)

"Broken" is my song of the year so far.

bakla (April 9, 2010)

I can't wait to get this on my turn table...

Welly (April 9, 2010)

Nearly 30 years?

spoon_of_grimbo (April 9, 2010)

nice review. i ordered this the other day, and the few bits i listened to on the stream were impressive. i don't like the slagging off of "dog disco" though. i've heard every leatherface album apart from "the last," and i'd say "dog disco" is second only to "mush."

ramblinboyofpleasure (April 9, 2010)

Great album, good review. But this reggae comparison pisses me off, those palm muted riffs you refer to as reggae have been part of leatherface for years.

screamager (April 9, 2010)

Near perfect record.

MN_DrNick (April 9, 2010)

It's a pretty damn good album, even if Mr. Stubbs voice isn't as powerful of a growl like it used to be back in the day. It's their best material since their split with Hot Water Music.

Misanthropee (April 9, 2010)

That's a damn high score even for this site, but I'd be hard-pressed to find fault. This is a band the grandkids will worship.

MonkDave (April 9, 2010)

Perfect score - Mush was their "five" album, this is four and a half for sure. I disagree with the comments that "God is Dead" does not have any reggae influence at all, the guitar lick is definitely a nod to that style, albeit subtly. Reviewer should maybe have mentioned this is the first Leatherface album in forever that has the legendary Dickie Hammond back on guitar, hence the stunning return to form. As for No Idea, if you're waiting for the 2xLP, I am sure it'll be on its way soon - seems they were told pretty last minute they were doing the record and it sounded like a hell of a project to get done by the "official" release date the band was throwing around. I've ordered one too, and I'm not worried. It'll turn up eventually.

shieldmyeyes (April 9, 2010)

has anyone gotten their vinyl of this from no idea? almost mid april and no sign of it.

Blackjaw_ (April 9, 2010)

yeah, there's no reggae-inspired anything here.

TahoeJeff (April 9, 2010)

I've been listening to this album quite a bit. I've never really listened to Leatherface before this record, and I'm kicking myself for not doing it sooner. Good review, but I'm not so sure that anything in "God is Dead" is Raggae inspired. Great album though. I love "Broken".

ashtraymonument (April 9, 2010)

Yes yes yes

sloanedaley (April 9, 2010)

One of Leatherfaces best and most consistant records. Nice review but nothing on here sounds like Gaslight or the Loved Ones, and as good as those bands can be I'm happy for it.

R3vengeTherapy (April 9, 2010)

Currently my album of the year. I think "Belly Dancing Stoat" deserves mention, because it is far and away one of the best songs this band has ever created.

It cannot top Mush, but really, few records can. But this is nearly as good, if not a different kind of affair by Leatherface standards. I can't say enough good things about it. "Hope" is really the only song I don't like much, but it's easily forgivable when the rest of the record is insanely good. There are multiple moments when I get chills listening to it, and that is always a sign of something great.

james_madison (April 9, 2010)

This is practically all I've been listening to for the past week or so. Fantastic album.

hayman (April 9, 2010)

Brilliant album, could not have hoped for better. Leatherface is an awesome band.