Hagar the womb
Hagitate
Grow your own records
A lovely 10” complete with lyric booklet explaining the reasons behind the words of the songs. This brings me back to buying records and enjoying my bus journey home as I tore apart what was inside the plastic sleeve and pores through not just the lyrics. These records were an education, there was context, details for the band, political campaigns and lovely thank you lists which provided the platform for what records to buy next.
There’s 6 songs here, each one a catchy punk tune. The band were a staple in the anarcho punk scene in the 80s, their story featured in the brilliant burning Britain book and this record is a coming of (middle) age of sorts. The world they screamed about changing then still needs changing now and they still feel the will to try and do something about it. But also want to have fun in the meantime.
Visible Woman is a story that I’m sure many women feel as age catches up on them. They blend into the background and some feel invisible. What sort of works have we when this is how people feel? Is it really a case that when a woman is young and pretty they are recognized but then blend into the background as hair dye becomes something to cover up hair color rather than add to it. A nice tuneful bass line brings the song along.
Portrait is an older set of lyrics that asks many questions which we as humans must always keep doing, regardless of the exuberance of youth or not.
Hated by the daily mail is something people should almost be proud of. An institute not to like and most definitely one not to be liked by. Musically this has more of a ska beat, an almost frivolous feel to a very serious topic.
Showing Off is almost an explanation from one of the dual singers of why she is back playing in a band 25 years later. It’s an honest take
“I wanna show off again,
do the things I did back then,
do I believe any more?
I don’t know – don’t wanna be bored “
Gaslighter is a new term for me, it’s a form of emotional abuse where the abuser manipulates their target into doubting their own feelings. The songs is a plea for women to trust in themselves and choose their friends carefully. It’s an upbeat punk tune that accompanies the serious subject manner.
Perfect life is a tale of how capitalism’s eternal promise of consumer fulfillment has always been a con. The bass line brings this song along with a nice solid leading sound.
