Description
Home Front – “Watch It Die” CD
The return of the Canadian synth-punks with their second full-length album, destined to become one of the big, blow-up records of the long running DIY punk label, La Vida Es Un Mus. Sounding progressively more confident and brazenly pop-based in their song writing skills than before. A step up without any great changes to the established Home Front formula. Just better than before. A tonne of influences are plundered – mostly still from the early 1980s – it’s a huge mountain of music out there, and it just gets bigger and bigger every day, and these guys have found what they love and they know exactly how best to express and celebrate that love. Where before they sounded like a synth band with an enthusiasm for punk they now sound like punks with a love of synths and electronica (now, how pointless a distinction is that? Jesus. But I know what I mean). Weirdly, amongst all the countless band-references that light up the lobes of my music-obsessive mind – Wire, Blitz, New Order etc. – I also get hints of LCD Sound System, and even, in the vocal harmony, recent Turnstile. Neither are bands that I would dream of referencing in a write-up for a LVEUM release, but that, I think is another exciting aspect of what is a very exciting modern punk record; and further testament to what a triumphant enigma Home Front have become. And I forgot to mention A Flock Of Seagulls…
