When I reviewed lead single “Dislocation” last month I stated, with a certain degree of hope,  that “if "Dislocations" up-tempo, melodic, post punk was an indicator of the album we could be in for an alt-rock treat to rival Biffy Clyro's "Puzzle" for album of the year so far”. Well, have they delivered? I'm pleased to report they have.

Over the thirteen tracks here at least eleven would make cracking singles. It's only my hatred of the rock ballad that stops me from including ”This Time” and “Never Me” in this category. The latter stretches out into a mutli-part epic that, at nearly nine minutes, shows the bands skill but seems out of place here, such is the abundance of hooky riffs and vocal melodies to be found. Anyone who enjoyed Lostprophets “Liberation Transmission” last year, and that's a fair few of you, will find a harder edged take on a similar brand of alt-rock here, almost reminiscent of The Manic Street Preachers circa their first two albums. Matt James even manages to fashion a new riff out of Stereophonics “Dakota” motif, Check out the  main riff to “I Live For” to see what I mean, and throughout this album tries to mix his styles  to maintain interest and give the tracks differing dynamics. He's not afraid to toss in the odd guitar solo here and there as well which is a welcome surprise in this style of music and something which has not been executed with such style since James Dean Bradfield  on those aforementioned Manic's albums.. 

When you marry this approach to some monumental chant-a-long choruses then it really is a win/win formula that Johnny Panic pull off without any hint of contrivance. Lyrically Rob Solly paints some grim themes (violence, disaffection and unemployment for example) but wraps them up in a sugar coating so before you know it you're singing along to the likes of  “If ever there was a reason for  a communist revolution, ladies and gentlemen I give you Paris Hilton” without a care. 

Quite simply, if there's any justice, Johnny Panic deserve to be huge on the back of this record. I would have even forgiven them the ballads if they'd kept the second one down to around four minutes. Even making allowances for the extravagance that is “Never Me” I can wholeheartedly say that this album is as good as anything else I've heard this year, check it out yourself and you'll see what I mean.

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Track Listing

Heroes Of Villains
The Rebel
I Live For
The Third Degree
A World Away
This Time
M-19
Stay
Gone
I Know That I Know
Never Me
Dislocation
The End Is Near

Line Up

Rob Solly – Vocals/Guitar
Jonny Shock – Drums
Matt James – Guitar
Sean Mannion – Bass