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The Law
This is a band I’ve been shouting about for what seems like a few years now and two 7” singles just doesn’t seem enough output for a band prone to producing superb riff-heavy anthems that carry real, working class emotion and passion.
Well, I’m glad to say they’ve considerably added to that wee back catalogue of theirs and at the time of writing they’re currently touring their excellent debut album and celebrating the third single being released from ‘A Measure Of Wealth’.
From early gigs at The Doghouse in their hometown of Dundee to touring with friends The View, it’s been a slow journey and a long wait for this fan but I’m sure i’’s gone much quicker for a gang of hard working, hard partying friends who tear up every stage they play. The Law have a dedicated fan-base who religiously follow them everywhere and I’m sure that number is on the rise, especially after hearing the aforementioned album.
T In The Park has been a huge event for the band over the years, always drawing bigger crowds than usual for a group of their commercial stature. This year was extra special though, being introduced onto the BBC Introducing stage by Edith Bowman, herself a big fan of The Law, in front of the biggest crowd of the weekend.
Numerous tracks from the debut have already been played on most large radio stations and hopefully this release will catapult them to find the audience they have worked for and now truly deserve.
The albums maiden release, ‘Don’t Stop, Believe’ first appeared as the b-side to their second 7”, put out two years ago. The driving, penetrating guitar riff from Stevie Anderson carries pure energy and Stuart Purvey’s powerful vocal makes for a ‘hands in the air’ rebel sound that urges us to carry on in all we do, a great introduction to the band.
The second single, and also track two on the album ‘The Chase’ is another upbeat onslaught complete with jangling tambourines and great rolling drums from Martin Donald. It breaks down with gentle piano and shows an almost Lennon-esque side to Purvey’s usually, attitude fuelled vocals.
The energy continues into ‘Local Boy Lost’ a short burst of zeal with tales of ‘dogs I shouldn’t have boned’, so far so good. ‘Man In The Moon’ is a melodious ode to better days and the guitars are just brilliant….Simon Donald’s bass completing a tight as fuck outfit.
I saw The Law play live in a tiny little club in my home town of Wakefield around 2007 and I remember having a ball. I’d gone to review them and it seemed like I was the only one in the room who knew who they were. It took a few bars of their opening song and everybody caught up quickly. I also remember Stuart telling me about label interest back then and I’ve waited for this release ever since! It seemed all my favourite new bands at the time were coming out of Scotland, Figure 5 are another band worth checking from North of the border!
The third and latest release from this overdue long player is ‘Television Satellite’. It’s out now and can be purchased from the links below. A song about losing a once sociable friend to TV! Their lyrics always carry a certain humour and this is hilarious in the best possible way. Check it out!
My favourite track on the album has to be ‘Still Got Friday To Go’. ‘The room’s spinning around, I really don’t know, whether to come or whether to go…’ I have it on vinyl, and with the immense b-side mentioned above is a truly accomplished release. The whole band contribute to a jumping, pumping clash of sound that is a definite live favourite…I wish I was around to experience the current tour.
‘Strings’ feels like a modern take on The Jam, with harmonica by Stevie and their first ever single ‘Milk & Honey’ rises into an almost familiar sing a long about hookers! It’s lost none of its early charm and I was hoping they’d also include it’s b-side at the time ‘Watching The Paint Dry’. Ah well, maybe on the follow up!
A groovy bass-line and pogo rhythms give you the very ‘Vertical Feeling’ that is being sung about, Stuarts voice having an air of Gallagher swagger in there somewhere. Coming to the end of the album, ‘City Boys, City Girls’ is a fast paced rattlesnake of a tune which continues the high quality throughout with a slight Dub/Ska sound.
When the final song ‘Congratulations’ starts, I’m feeling the melancholy in the song and want a whole lot more! It’s a complete contrast to the other tracks and ends the album well, I just wish they’d put on three or four bonus tracks!
Ok, so there it is….Yes, I’ve mentioned every tune on the album, but to me, this album really is worth talking about. It’s taken a lot of work on the ‘toilet tours’ and I’m sure given them a headache about which of their great songs to include but they’ve made it with a cracking album and I just hope things continue on the up for them.
So, give it a listen and you might just be arrested like me, in the name of The Law! Thanks to Michelle at No Half Measures for sending the album out to me in Asia, it’s hardly been out of my drive!
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We waffle on enough without letting you lot do it too. Comments are limited to 300 characters.
Try and keep on topic if you can and no insulting the contributors. All hate mail can be addressed to Kev.