Review – The Drugs “The only way is
up”
EP on Rubber / Elastic Records
through BMG
Take Teddy Sexuals, TISM and Frenzal Rhomb, place them, wearing either Ronald McDonald-styled suits, NSW Police
uniforms or silk “Sergeant Peppers”-styled outfits in front of a logo
allegedly derived from the Centrelink logo
(hence the Legal Action), and you have Sydney’s The Drugs, the best thing to come out of Riverstone since the 7:56 “all to Lidcombe, Strathfield,
Burwood, Redfern, all to Gordon...”
I have witnessed one of their live shows, traded pre-gig banter with
them, visited their website and read the enclosed press
so as to gain a little understanding of what goes on in their “minds” and to
try to pre-empt an expectation from their ARIA Award nomination-winning EP “The Only Way Is Up” on Rubber / Elastic Records through BMG.
According to the track listing there are 6 tracks
and a CD ROM component, but inserting the disc will reveal an extra two tracks.. Realistically you only get two new songs, as Pop Song and Burger King appeared as their first single release. I think I know casts things off with a song the style of which, if
you have witnessed a live gig, would be considered typical of the band and Robert Bonjourno would appear to
be a tribute to an Italian friend of theirs in not-quite-the-same style. The other tracks (David is Talking…, Pam & Sam and the phantom / bonus tracks, one of which
is the title track) are added to further enhance the band’s view on life.
The ROM Component is something else
yet again. Containing the Pop Song video and the Pop Song (Melting Tape
In The Car Stereo Mix), they seriously have to be seen if you’re
still wondering what they’re on! The Video, which would feature on Rage but not
after 6am, and definitely not on Video Hits, takes the piss from Boy Bands and
from the last couple of Green Day videos. Meanwhile the Pop Song (Melting Tape In The Car Stereo Mix) mix appears to be someone’s
experiment with Macromedia
that would make a great screen-saver… well done gents! And then there’s Ian Baddley’s “Guide to Becoming a
Punk Rock Star”...
some phases of one’s life just weren’t meant to be captured on film!
These guys are seriously bent and
could not have packaged anything to express this any better. The Drugs “The Only Way Is Up” on Rubber / Elastic Records through BMG: just do ’em!