GB City
GB City prefers to keep things simple. Bass Drum of Death place distorted guitars and hard drums around melodies that quickly become clear. John Barrett's voice sounds sharp and occasionally nasal, but fits the rough setting. The record requires very little explanation or patience: short, direct rock working through momentum and recognisable guitar parts.
Nerve Jamming begins with hard drums and short guitar punches. The direct attack gives the fuzzy sound a clear direction.
Get Found holds onto a bluesy guitar figure. After a brief fade, a changed version of the riff restores its momentum. Heart Attack Kid draws on the blunt force of early Stooges-style rock. That connection suits a record which values immediate impact over polished performances.
Young Pros brings the pop side further forward. Light vocal sounds and a bouncing rhythm make it one of the easiest songs to remember. Spare Room instead chooses a slower beginning that eventually develops into greater guitar noise. The contrast helps the aggressive songs perform different roles. The record has more variety than its constant fuzz might initially suggest.
That sound can become oppressive. Distortion covers almost everything, and not every song maintains an equally firm grip. I Could Never Be Your Man emerges less convincingly from the density. Yet the short running time helps considerably. GB City contains enough melody to make rough performance more than a stylistic choice. Its strongest riffs are immediately recognisable and the songs quickly reach their point. This energetic debut generally uses its limitations well.
