(4-track EP/ TWENTY STONE BLATT)
Appropriately, John Robb�s healthy Goldblade project is cutting a wealthy edge of music. These 4 tracks make the best of this band�s seamless fusion of multiple musical styles, with truly fucking awesome pop-punk undercurrents prevailing to ensure each track is hugely commercially viable.
�Who Was The Killa?� scores with its cool horns and classy guitar riff, as Robb (who formed the band in the mid-90's following the demise of his Membranes punk outfit) admits �Sometimes I feel pretty wild,� but just wait for �Strictly Hardcore� to witness one of the coolest pop-punk anthems I�ve ever heard, blessed with a wicked, harmonious chant of a vibe which is the soundtrack to summery fun and may remind of Ruby Cruiser�s tuneful zest.
The vocals are rooted in punk tradition, but there�s no rebellion or angst here whatsoever. Goldblade wouldn�t hear of causing political uproar. Pop-litical genius, on the otherhand, is a real possibility, with this release�s closing track � �Uranus� � standing proud as a catchy song not to be messed with.
Few pop-punk bands abound with this much dignity or integrity (though Hull�s Scarper do for sure), and while John Robb and Goldblade can fleetingly remind of Keith Flint and his new �backing band,� Goldblade are producing music in a league of its own. 4/5 (STEVE RUDD)
www.goldblade.com
www.johnrobb.com
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