Real Farmer – ‘Compare What’s There’ album review: A versatile and modern punk album that nods to ’70s rage
THE SKINNY: Some albums beg for volume, and this is one of them. To play Real Farmer’s new album, Compare What’s There, at anything less than max volume seems like a disservice to its sound. There is an energy within every second of this record that is impossible to capture but easy to exist inside. It’s an album that feels like a tornado has swept up a music shop and thrown you inside it.
Often, when you listen to a punk album, you latch onto the same feeling for a while and ride it. This is fine; a lot of bands go for that one-dimension delivery of hard rock and have been very successful for it, but there is an argument that 50 years after the birth of punk, the genre should have progressed more than that, and if you ever needed convincing of as much then this is the album that will do it. At the heart of Compare What’s There is a heavy energy that stays true to its punk roots, but the versatility on show by the band keeps things fresh and exciting, so the album never runs stagnant.
After hearing the first song, ‘The Feeding’, it’s clear what this album is trying to do. It’s a heavy punk album, packed with attitude that you’re unable to turn away from. However, when the song ends and the sweet-sounding harmonies welcome in the second track, ‘Inner City’, it’s clear that the record will never fall into the trap of becoming predictable. That remains throughout, as songs like ‘Empty’ create a haunting effect by dragging picks across strings, while ‘Gentrified’ has an honesty brought in by false starts.
This feels like a modern punk album that is really due its flowers, showing how the original genre still has a place in contemporary music so long as bands put their own stamp on it. Compare What’s There is an energy drink of an album from start to finish, adrenaline-packed into every second. With distinguishable riffs, the use of call and response and exciting playing techniques, each song is individual, and the sound doesn’t grow stale.
For fans of: Tinnitus and Viennese fly traps.
A concluding comment from your local lozenge salesperson: “You should really buy in bulk if you’re gunna sing along to this…”
Compare What’s There track by track:
Release Date: March 8th | Producer: Niek Van Den Driesschen | Label: Piccadilly Records
‘The Feeding’: This album couldn’t start in any other way. The persistent distorted guitar that bangs throughout alongside the emotive lyrics brandishes the anarchic flag that Real Farmer hangs so highly. This has the spirit of ‘70s Britain with its rawness and energy. [4/5]
‘Inner City’: The band show versatility in their sound right away. While the elements that make ‘The Feeding’ are still present, sweet-sounding backing vocals separate the two songs so that Real Farmer isn’t falling into the same trap many other punk bands fall into. [3.5/5]
‘Waiting For’: A running bassline dominates this track. It is unrelenting in its execution, piercing eardrums and refusing to let up. There are moments to breathe in the song where the band go more acoustic and melodic in their delivery, but this is undeniably one to headbang to. [4/5]
‘Empty’: A haunting bassline kicks this track off as guitar picks are dragged across strings. It sounds like the beginning of a horrible trip that you’re 100% committed to. The vocals are put under more pressure here as the music is slightly less overpowering, but it’s a welcome challenge that is a treat to listen to. The atmosphere this song creates parallels Led Zeppelin and movie scores and is something to be excited about. [5/5]
‘Gentrified’: This comes across as a sincere song, as the track has a couple of false starts before it officially gets going. It creates an uneasiness at the beginning, which is then capitalised on with the one minute of solid music. [3.5/5]
‘I Can’t Run’: The vocals on this album are infectious, and ‘I Can’t Run’ marks the first time they open up a song on the record. One word done acapella is enough to draw you immediately into this song, which feels oddly nostalgic in the best possible way. The song probably has one of the catchiest choruses on the album, too. [4.5]
‘Perry Boys’: ‘Perry Boys’ is probably one of the album’s least versatile songs, but with a tracklist that brandishes so many different styles of playing, that’s not a bad thing. The song comes across as a reminder of the inspiration behind the record, a slight nod to punk origins that is still undeniably in the style of Real Farmer. [3.5/5]
‘Next In’: The catchy hook of “Take me to the places that I can’t afford” will be in your head from the first listen. The complex way that the vocals mimic the guitar and bass riffs on this song is fun, plus the back and forth from male vocals to female is a good use of call and response, which we haven’t heard yet on the album. [4.5/5]
‘The Straightest Line’: The guitar feels like a remixed version of a pre-existing riff. The sporadic way it is played is so chaotic that it’s difficult to work out where you stand with it. It’s one of the best listening experiences on the album. [5/5]
‘Consequence’: This track has more vocal mimicry of the guitar parts. It can’t be understated how effective this form of singing is when emphasising a heavy tone and layering an already busy song. [4/5]
‘Wayside’: A bit more of a reserved song; while it is still upbeat, a cleaner guitar and more subdued vocals make it feel slightly calmer. It’s a nice breather that eases the listener into the final two tracks. [4/5]
‘Wasted Words’: A chilled-out and smooth intro welcomes in this song. It’s a relief, given it’s the longest song on the album; regardless of how good Real Farmer is at bottling energy, their persistent sound for longer than four minutes in one go would be too much. This layered and progressive track is a great way for the band to dip their toe into longer numbers. [5/5]
‘Never Enough’: The record ends with a bang (which, to be fair, is the only way it could ever end). ‘Never Enough’ has heavy riffs, passionate vocals and upbeat drums packed into one; everyone we love on the record played one more time to see us on our way. [4/5]
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out New Music Newsletter
All the latest New Music from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.