Formed in New Zealand in 1981, Desperate Measures’ original tenure found the band burning brightly, but briefly, before laying dormant for several years. Recently resurrected by vocalist Eugene Butcher, (along with a whole new cast of seasoned musicians) the band have been busy making up for lost time by releasing the critically-acclaimed Rinsed EP, and turning in some boisterous live sets (such as here). a long time in the making, this line-up of Desperate Measures finally unleash their album and treat us to a hefty dose of Sublime Destruction.
Think classic Guns ‘N’ Roses (before they got fat and bloated) jamming with the original Professionals (that’s Cook and Jonesy, not Bodie and Doyle) and you’d have something approaching opening track ‘Back To The Rats’. It’s a confident start that immediately throws its weight around, and aided by a strong production, it certainly packs a punch. In fact, ‘Back To The Rats’ hints at what The Professionals’ debut album I Didn’t See It Coming could have been, had it been given this kind of mix. Anyhow, that’s the kind of sonic space Desperate Measures inhabit, but don’t mark them down as copyists; their influences are mere points of reference and are used as a springboard towards something fresh. Drawing upon 50 years of rich musical history, there’s the Detroit stomp of the MC5, Ramones-styled buzzsaw guitars, Britpop harmonies and even a dash of biker metal (Circus Of Power), and when rolled together you have the band’s signature sound, and it’s to their credit that cuts such as ‘The Rich-Tual’ sound like no one but themselves.
Desperate Measures’ biggest selling point is their refusal to rest on past glories; it would have been easy (and safer) for them to play a generic brand of punk to that built in audience, yet ‘Untouchable’ finds the band marching bravely towards an unknown future. It’s a risky move, but one that pays off, and even the nostalgia-tinged ‘Seven Sisters’ sounds relevant and contemporary. Like a love letter (a ransom note?) to the modern world, Sublime Destruction makes biting social commentary from cuts ‘Lost Angels’ and ‘Thinking Of England’ and serves them up with plenty of piss and vinegar (and fire and gasoline). The core of this band has been together for quite a while now, and the impression this LP gives is that they’re happy in their own company; nobody’s stepping on toes and each band member is given space to do their thing. The result is a bold album, and one that’s pleasing on the ear.
Life is pretty hard for most of us as war, famine and pestilence reign over the planet, but then again, desperate times call for Desperate Measures.
- Reviewed by Peter Dennis.
- Sublime Destruction is released via Cadiz Music on 22nd March 2024.
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Track List:
- Back To The Rats
- Sublime Destruction
- The Rich-Tual
- Enjoy The Ride
- Lost Angels
- Untouchable
- Thinking Of England
- Flowers At Your Door
- Seven Sisters
- Still Got Me
