(93 RECORDS)
Lomax are the find of 2003. Music does not� can not� get any cooler than this, as 'A Symbol of Modern Living' attacks every single sense and forces you to re-evaluate your lot, period.
10 tracks of hypnotic, entrancing, pioneering genius are what you get - and by God, make the most of them won't you?
Opened by 'Bodies of Journalists,' their heat-attackingly amazing rock sound is like a mega-mash of The Clash, The Revs and The Jam - and all songs are tuneful, some political.
Theirs is a sound not be messed with, as one of the album highlights in 'Arnstein's Ladder' proves the band's lyricist's worth as a poet: 'Learn to use your mind again and let iron fists in velvet gloves become the tools of mortal men.' Yes, Lomax want the most out of their lives and only the best for their listeners.' They support Billy Bragg-styled attitudes in that they don't want to live lives of dull routine.
Musically they are hugely original and magnificently vibrant. If your ears are of a sensitive disposition, you'd best cover them for 'When The Pressure's On' and its fiercely intense wall of proud sound, while 'Knuckleheads' has the frontman revelling in the rock swagger of Mark E. Smith's way with rock narrative.
Their 'Modern Life' is the most sensational cut above in this collection of 10 tracks; a funk-dance fest that's beat-&-bass dominated. Think Primal Scream at their very best� and then think Lomax - because the quality of this music far surpasses even Primal Scream's pioneering brilliance.
'Principles,' mind, semi-contradicts the fact I think they're erstwhile poets when the dirty lyric 'Did my shit leave a bad taste in your mouth?' crops up. But the lyrics aside, it's the music that takes pride of place down one's ear canal.
Having supported bands such as The Rapture and French Kicks, and having already released 'Anglicised' and 'Brought To Rights' (which both feature on this album too) as singles, listen out for Lomax - because they could change your life. And I don't honestly know why the hell this album wasn't nominated for 2003's Mercury Music Prize, because in an ideal world it would have won the bastard hands down.
5/5 (Steve Rudd)
Release Date: November 10th 2003