Scumbag Philosopher - It Means Nothing So it Means Nothing

by Benjamin Howarth

published: 8 / 7 / 2011

Scumbag Philosopher - It Means Nothing So it Means Nothing

Label: Words On Music
Format: CD

Abrasive, political new wave rock on debut album from Norwich band, Sc*mbag Philosopher

Review

Scumbag Philosopher are from Norwich, and used to be called Fuck Dress. They do tight, call-and-response new wave rock with half spoken vocals, and are comparable to Art Brut and McClusky. Singer Grant Madden tends to duet with drummer Anne Reekie, and it is Reekie who defines the band’s sound with her tightly propelled drumming, played on a simple set up of just a couple of drums. Over this comes down-tuned bass and stabs of guitar. This is the sound of suburban Britain – bored with their jobs, cynical about modern media and desperately trying to ride above the fray. On ‘Social Networking Site’, they mock Facebook and Twitter - “Add me - but I'm in the same room. Friend me - but I'm sat next to you." Ironically, they put the various social networking sites the band use in a prominent space on the back cover of the CD. ‘Tick Box Exercise’ is an effective rant against mid-level corporate management. The video for ‘God Is Dead So I Listen To Radiohead’ shows the singer carefully filing his Radiohead vinyl into plastic sleeves and reading Nietzsche. It’s not clear whether this is a joke, or whether this is just a song about someone who likes Radiohead and reads philosophy. Apparently, the members of the band are divided on the relative merits of Radiohead. Some people will surely be thinking, “Yeah, I’ve been waiting for a band to really put the boot into Nietzsche”. But, I just didn’t think they were particularly witty. It doesn’t even sound like they’re actually enjoying themselves. Perhaps it’s all an elaborate art statement to go to the trouble of forming a band only to sound completely bored? But, this is the problem with music reviews. Scumbag Philosopher supported the Fall on tour recently, and got excellent feedback. After the show, lots of people emailed various 6Music DJs to recommend the band, and by all accounts the shows struck a chord with the Fall’s audience – not people known to give support bands an easy ride. I don’t think I’ll ever want to listen to this album again, but you might end up really liking it.

Track Listing:-

1 Trickbox Exercise
2 I Like Sums
3 Your Heroes At Home
4 Isolation
5 Scumbag Philosopher
6 God Is Dead So I Listen To Radiohead
7 Sunshine Corporation
8 Social Networking Site
9 On The Shortwave