Rock, raunch, groove, grit and dirt; these terms tend to sum up the debut album from Melbourne four piece The Charge. Oh, and great songs as well.
It’s probably better to use words such as these to describe this band’s sound, as traditional genre titles don’t do them justice. They are undeniably rock, but that term is so broad these days it almost tells you nothing. There’s a grungy vibe to their style, but you wouldn’t rate them a grunge band. Same goes for stoner. They are undoubtedly influenced by ’70s classic rock, but there is a modern vibe to them as well. Simply put, if you like anything from Led Zep to Black Sabbath to Kyuss to Nirvana to Mastodon, then The Charge is for you.
The other cool thing about this album is that, instead of loading up the front half of the record with the best songs and then simply padding it out with filler, Red Flags just gets better as it goes on. The album really hits its stride with track five, the ultra catchy Lonely Miss. The second half of the record is all killer, rounding out with the epic, driving groove of Requiem For A Dream, which puts a very dramatic full stop to the record.
The production is exactly what you’d want for an album such as this, just a little dirty, but pro enough to be thoroughly listenable. Same with the musicianship. It’s workmanlike, but flashy playing has no place in music like this. This band rocks. Nothing further really needs to be said.
BY ROD WHITFIELD
Best Track: Lonely Miss
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: MASTODON, BLACK SABBATH, NIRVANA
In A Word: Rock!
