Moral Panic – Validation
Release Date: 9th September 2022
Label: Reptilian Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Punk, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Blues.
FFO: Sex Pistols, The Who.
Review By: David Oberlin
The US has long been the forerunner in establishing punk as a mainstream genre. With the Brits, the progenitors of the punk, having lost their way in the alternative scene many years before. When thinking a little bit more in depth, the Christian God probably needs to save the US more than the Queen at the moment. Anyway, NYC’s (New York City’s) Punky Rollers Moral Panic are, as in conversation, at the front of a simmering movement with their new album Validation.
Unmistakably punk, the speed and discordance are daringly coherent in this quirky but grindsome record. And yet, there is a covalent hook with more adroit musicianship than you would expect from a garden variety DIY group. As the songs, being succinct and progressive, have more flare than the sun through a lens. The guys from Moral Panic are clearly very talented, and Validation is a great document of their authenticity as musicians.
This album, Validation, ain’t half hot, Mum. But, it is played in two parts, where the second act is far more interesting than its opening half. Musically speaking. And, where it becomes progressively darker. Impressing with solos, perky drum fills and elevating transpositions. All good fun. Where the only triviality is the anglicised vocals, which sound a little too close to London. Apart from that, hey ho, it is good to go. Punk is the country music of city folk. So, call me a Philistine but I wanna hear Nyu Yoik in me American punk, not Landan.
(4 / 5)
