Zounds were sort of odd ducks amongst the slew of odd ducks that comprised the U.K.’s now-legendary anarcho-punk scene. While lyrically on the same page as many of their peers, they didn’t go the screamy, skronky, thrashy noise route, nor the proto-goth route, nor did they go out of their way to ape Crass (although their single on that band’s label did adhere to the required sonic and rhythmic qualities the label required. Always found that kinda funny—an anarchist punk record label dictating to other bands what they should sound like or they couldn’t be on said label. But, as per usual, I digress,), but rather they came at the punk thing from a decidedly different angle, with a sound that often owed more to the folk rock groups of the 60s than the “no future” phalanx of the ‘70s. This latest release treads the same lyrical mill as their efforts three decades ago, all of which are still very topical—the stupidity and folly of war and violence, gender politics, the insidious nature of government and politics—and while the music here evinces more of that folk rock influence, they retain enough “punk” to give the tunes some sting. Hard to believe that thirty-plus years down the road and not only are they still on about the same things, but that, now more than ever, it needs to be said. I tip my hat to ye, and it’s good to have you back making a racket.
–jimmy (Overground)