Cravats - Hoorahland
by Maarten Schiethart
published: 26 / 11 / 2020

Label:
Overground Records
Format: CD
intro
Excellent fourth album in forty years from reformed socially aware punk surrealists, the Cravats
The Cravats, whilst a hard act to follow for decades, surface like a rescue helicopter in this 2020 fog of frantic idiocy. Associated with equally zany misfit outfits like Bogshed, The Passage and Yeah Yeah Noh, the Cravats heralded surrealism in punk music in the first half of 1980s. After re-uniting a few years ago, proof was found of their continued excellence on 'Dustbin of Sound', their 2017 third album and first in their second life. The Cravats again show why clowns cannot be trusted but instead should be cherished for bringing on truths. Unlike many of the Cravats' contemporaries, the band hasn't lost its edge. With sharp wit, they comment on recent issues on tracks such as 'March of the Business Acumen'. One might be tempted to quote a line from there such as 'Blue sky thinking is the new colour scheme', yet on 'Morris Marina' the Cravats take the cake: "I'm more Austin Allegro than Batmobile/You couldn't overtake a tank in this heap." On their current record label in Newcastle, purveyors of excellent taste since 1988, Overground, and very much in overdrive, the Cravats stun with their stubborn and storming stabs at the issues at stake. Tooting, hooting and booting, I cannot think of a better album to turn the world upside down other than 'Hoorahland'.
Track Listing:-
1 Goody Goody Gum Drops2 Shy
3 Same Day
4 Now the Magic Has Gone
5 Good for You
6 Oh How We Laughed
7 There Is No God
8 March of the Business Acumen
9 Trees & Birds & Flowers & Sky
10 Jam Rabbits
11 Morris Marina
12 Hoorahland
Label Links:-
http://www.overgroundrecords.co.uk/https://www.facebook.com/overgroundrecords
bandcamp
reviews |
Seance (2007) |
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Impressive return to form on first release in over 20 years from reformed avant-garde punks the Cravats, which finds them collaborating with Paul Hartnoll who was formerly with Orbital |
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