The Skids and Burning Cities.

by

Rob Jones

The Skids are back and thank goodness for their timely return. The sadly deceased Stuart Adamson – the original guitarist from the glory years of the late 70’s and early 80’s would be proud of the current endeavour.  Occasional live gigs over the years since the demise of a fully functioning combo in 1982 have now led to a more united lineup and a celebration of four decades of this influential outfit. Originals Richard Jobson and William Simpson are joined by latter member Mike Baillie with Big Country personnel, father and son, Bruce and Jamie Simpson making up a fiery five-piece.

The fresh fare of an eleven track Burning Cities album will retain the hardcore faithful while also endearing a younger breed to a style of punk rock that was always inventive, imaginative and inspirational. Every initial Skids long player from the late 70’s forward was a progression and the new work takes elements of every aspect of the band’s reputation and gels them into a pristine packet. Monstrous anthemic tunes without any cracks in their armour are the order of the day although the closing Desert Dust hints towards the Celtic folk evident on the Joy recording. However, those who were partial to the demonic delights of Scared to Dance, Days in Europa and The Absolute Game will find pleasure here and of course, the lyrics of Jobson are always extremely literary.

This is not a cash form chaos collection – for these songs are well constructed with an aim of firing The Skids into a contemporary alt. rock market. The presentation of the nascent sonic tonic was always first class and those standards are maintained via the employment of Youth – the renowned Killing Joke bassist and acclaimed producer of the likes of Primal Scream, Echo & The Bunnymen and The Verve amongst a whole host of others.

Then energy and enterprise of This is our World,  One last Chance, A world on Fire (on release as a single), On the Moors, Subbotnik

and Kings of the new world Order are all colossal and catchy with Kaputt plus Into the Void going into an extra gear. Meanwhile, Burning Cities and Refugee may drop the pace but this pair of gems still have stamina. A very credible return to arms indeed and your copy is awaiting purchase at:

http://www.resident-music.com/productdetails&product_id=52322 or https://www.roughtrade.com/gb/music/burning-cities

Group leader Jobson has stated:

 “I’m incredibly excited about this album. This music is at the heart of everything our band is about: truth, revolution, loud guitars and a refusal to keep quiet as the establishment tries to smother chances for anyone other than its own.”