271) Therapy? - Troublegum

I worked with a guy whose family was from Donegal he was heavily into his Irish bands and artists, and we had many a discussion about music. He said he would give me a contrast with a Christy Moore album and a Therapy? Album, I had vaguely heard of both but have never heard a note. I was too young for Christy Moore (I should try him again now I’m old(er)) but Therapy? were right up my street.

Troublegum is basically an assault from the start as we launch into “I’m gonna fuck you up,” lyrics within the first twenty seconds of Knives and Screamager has stop start riff that keeps coming back again and again.

There is a punk element to their sound with big shouty choruses but a clarity as lead singer Andy Cairns can go from a deep in the belly vocal to a crisp clear voice and his guitars are effective through ably backed up by a powerful and effective rhythm section of Fyfe Ewing on drums and Michael McKeegan on bass. Former Banshee, Martin McCarrick also makes an appearance on Unrequited on cello and would join the band as a full-time member, I can take or leave this track, but it is worth hearing for the addition of the cello.

Nowhere was a top twenty hit with a direct chorus and rattles along and Die Laughing, also a single, has shades of Bob Mould’s Sugar which is meant as a compliment and Page Hamilton of Helmet pops up on Unbeliever for a raw guitar solo. Trigger Inside is very Metallica sounding, I struggle with Metallica, but if this were one of theirs, I would be a fan of it.

Lunacy Booth is worth it for Leslie Rankine from Silverfish exclaiming “Christ” every minute or so, you look forward to her coming in and they have a go of Joy Division’s Isolation, its more punky and has a harder sound, brave to cover such a classic but they carry it off.

Turn has a lovely shimmering guitar sound and a steely rumbling bass throughout.

Troublegum caught the record buying publics imagination and was a big hit for the band. I hadn’t listened to this record in a long time – why I do not know but it was  a pleasure to reacquaint myself with it.

7/10

GIVE IT A STREAM: Screamager