Rockfreaks.net

The Bumpkins

The Bumpkins

Written by: PP on 12/07/2013 20:23:36

Sometimes all you need in order to write a few good songs are three chords and lots of enthusiasm. The Bumpkins demonstrate just that on their self-titled album, which is ripe with 70s influences, love for garage rock, and old school vibes. No bullshit is found on this disc, and neither is ambition, as the band settle for quick and easy punk rock songs lasting under two minutes each. It's basic three chord punk with a garage rock twist, and basically it sounds like how I'd imagine The Kinks to sound like had they been more like Ramones and less like a rock'n'roll band.

Although the whole release is characterized by its upbeat tempo, there's space for slower tracks as well, like "Can't Sleep Without You", which lasts for almost three minutes given its medium-pace tempo. These are few and far in between though, as most songs are fun, simple, light-hearted punk rock tracks that carry some of the original 70s spirit in them. Not in terms of rebellion, but in terms of how the guitars sound like. And even though the songs can definitely be described as no-frills punk rock, don't come in expecting the modern style championed by Teenage Bottlerocket, The Dopamines, et al. This is purposefully old school, yet it doesn't have the same dated and has-been sound as many other retrospective bands, which you can attribute to the overflowing enthusiasm that's present on every track, but especially on the 52-second "Bump On My Head", which is a punk rock headbanger if I ever heard one. It's a characteristic track on the album; it's one where it sounds especially like the whole band are just having tonnes of fun while playing and recording the track.

Yes, it's simple. But it's also catchy on first listen. It's very, very simple - it doesn't get much more simple than this in punk rock - but it works because of the enthusiasm and the upbeat songwriting. It'll put you in a good mood, it'll have you singing along, that's all you can ask, right?

Download: You Gotta Go, I Was Troubled, Like A Child, Can't Sleep Without You, Friday Night, Boyfriend
For the fans of: The Kinks, Ramones, Teenage Gluesniffers, The Queers
Listen: Facebook

Release date 06.04.2012
Self-Released