Scumbag Philosopher -‘It Means Nothing So It Means Nothing’ (Words On Music)

OK…maybe this says more about me than the band (in fact, it definitely does) – but whilst I thought the first two tracks I heard off this album were ok, now it makes the most sense with in the context of the album. Hmm, anyway…

Whilst there were lots of bands who did stuff with the post-punk records of the late seventies and early over the last ten years, Scumbag Philosopher have realised that whilst Entertainment! by Gang Of Four is an excellent album, they can also have a hell of a lot of fun with The Fall-pre Brix Smith, Harvest-era Wire and more than a nodding acquaintance with the likes of The Cramps and Killing Joke. But whilst you can tell where their influences may lie – as with all the best bands, they have taken them and are running wild with them. And it’s bloody fantastic.

It’s infuriatingly catchy -‘Scumbag Philosopher! Scumbag Philosopher!’ You will be singing once you’ve heard it. Because you’ll go and buy it. There’s four band members here and not only are they playing as a group but they’re intensely individualistic players who draw you in.

And of course, there is the album’s main track ‘God Is Dead So I Listen To Radiohead.’ Not a swipe at Radiohead per se -some of the band ARE fans and I’m still happy to put my hand up to being one, too – but those who slavishly worship Nietzsche through their slavish devotion to Radiohead. And buying two copies of everything – one to play, one to keep. I cannot help wondering if the sort of Philosophy student I might have been just a little bit is being ripped -and I’m laughing at the joke with everyone else.

This album rocks like a bastard, frankly; and it’s got a very cool sense of anti-cool.

You know what to do…

It Means Nothing So It Is Nothing is out now on Words On Music.

Scumbag Philosopher -‘God Is Dead So I Listen To Radiohead.’ mp3