Settle Down – Crankees (Evil Tone)
The album does not fuck around so the review shall not: Sydney’s Crankees encapsulate kicking against suburban ennui like Eddy Current Supression Ring did 20 years ago, but won’t attract the same adoration because they don’t come from Melbourne.
Where ECSR complained about boredom and negative ATM balances with what, at times, seemed like resigned ambivalence, Crankees sound, well, cranky. It’s punk rock that never tries too hard. The other truth is that “Settle Down” deserves to be heard further afield.
Fronted by Rodney Todd - stand-up comedian, trivia king and mouthpiece for an endless stream of short-lived bands - Crankees deliver 14 songs of well-honed punk rock and roll. Yes, that’s a lot of tunes for a vinyl release but they’re all around the two-minute mark, and neither you or the band are audiophiles listening to symphony orchestras.
David Akerman’s claustrophobic mix is a bit like Sydney’s inner-western suburbs in that it has a lot packed into it, and has been mastered by lo-fi’s the master masterer, Mikey Young, so it lands well.
Like one of his bamboo underwear TV commercials, Rodney gets star billing on the inner sleeve, but Crankees are very much a collective with lyrics and songs credited equally. These guys have all been around the block a few times. Jimmy Meek (Downtime/Massapeal) on guitar, Lex Hall on drums and keys and Luke Buckler (Hostile Objects) on bass and keys deliver a tight and focussed punk rock sound .
Lyric inserts are a nice thing to have and this one spotlights songs with no shortage of words that are witty and intelligent (sometimes at the same time). No spoilers here but Crankees adeptly describe cost-of-living (“The Rent”), a significant other (“With You”), urban living (“Noise of the Neighbours”) and ADHD (“Singularity”).
“Into My Pace” is about being in your own zone and, at a guess, “Scream Out For Shelb” is about gaming. “Settle Down” is the first known instance of the ancient Aussie term “Bush Week” being used on a punk rock recording.
Leek’s economic soloing and the strategically-placed keyboard washes add colour where it’s needed and the engine room is tight and dynamic.
The 2022 single, “Punch The Boss”, was a stroppy little gem and there’s plenty of songs in the same ilk, but with the luxury of a long-playing format the band squeezes out a ballad or two. “More Than a Fool” reveals a lyrical depth that might be unexpected on the strength of the 45 alone. Props also to “With You”, another heartfelt mid-tempo closer in which Todd intones/fesses up over some expressive open chording.
Now, plonk down some hard-earned at the Evil Tone web shop and do some listening of your own.
