(DL62) RANT - The Rise of the Idiots
After many ifs and buts, the
package arrived completely and nicely. This was clearly worth waiting for and a
lyric line like "No school today, with the words of Jello and Jake Burns I soon
began to learn" as they sing in My Pride, My roots, My street. Certainly a cover
but still. The 11 songs is somewhere between punk and oi and you can maybe call
it streetpunk or something like that but it might be too easy to say it like
that. I would like to call it damn good punkrock and with a singer who has such
a nice raw voice which really fits into this kind of music. I'm incredibly happy
that I got to take part of this album and it probably wouldn't have been
possible if I didn't do this zine. As I have said so many times I am sincerely
grateful to all groups, record companies etc etc who send me things and
especially records and when you get such a good record it would be basically
impossible to stop doing Skruttmagazine. I think that Rant is one of the more
interesting groups in this style that has come out in the last few years and
this record will go hot... Be so sure. Check this out right away and now I
rather think that you should support Deadlamb and buy the record. And by the
way, who the hell is Paddy?
25/7-2025
Skrutt Magazine
(DL62) RANT - The Rise of the Idiots
The debut long player from Belfast’s
Rant is perfect for fans of street punk with plenty of melody.
Rant have some serious Belfast provenance making this release highly
anticipated by people in the know. You’ve got members of Runnin’ Riot,
Aggressors BC, Boss Sound Manifesto, United Bottles, Tonic All-Stars,
Wardomized and Takers & Users. That is an impressive set of ingredients
as a starting point.
At its heart this is punk rock n’roll with lots of guitar melodies and
solos, upbeat drumming and some great wandering bass lines. Rant’s sound
is a modern take on street punk, which means at its heart there is
something of a cross over between punk rock, hardcore with a hint of 70s
glam/boot boy lurking. Think Cock Sparrer meets Rancid but sped up and
brought bang up to date.
Listen to Forgotten Road
Sometimes you can hear a bit of the old Runnin’ Riot sound but Rant are
closer to United Bottles. The Belfast accent shines through in some
places more than others but the gruff melodic vocals and polished
production could at times lead you to think Rant were American. Don’t
get fooled by the street punk association. Some of their faster songs
drink from the same pint as hardcore punks The Restarts.
Rant’s anthemic song writing works through an emotional or narrative
lens, even when addressing world problems. Tales of broken people and
communities interweave with hope and defiance. Casualties of drugs and
drinking appear. There is casual violence and organised state violence
plus the obligatory street punk theme, working class pride:
“And I’m proud to be a loudmouth From the working class streets.
The council houses and the corners. Places where we cut our teeth.
She told me punk was just a phase. Tell me how wrong could she be.
I’ve got my pride I’ve got my roots I’ve got my streets”
Great artwork by Marty tops off the whole package. If you like your
street punk melodic but upbeat this one is for you.
Nathan Brown - louderthanwar.com
