ALBUM REVIEW: Dial M For Meds – Taking Meds

Punk’s “most stubborn band” TAKING MEDS are back with their fourth studio album Dial M For Meds. According to the band, the record is their attempt at playing nice, well, nice in a way that still represents individuals on the outside of even the “weirdest” sub-cultures. And they have managed to achieve this by creating a record that features those all so classic punk frustrations and anxieties, yet doing so in a laidback, almost calming, way.

A fair summary for the album would be 90s/00s punk scene meets modern day, with the use of low-quality recordings, essentially unpolished, that offer that comforting nostalgic feeling, yet you still relate to everything said. This is clear from start to finish; opening with Memory Lane the band create a sound that captures the essence of the 00s with the laidback chaos, (is that even a phrase?) of chill rock contrasted with lyrics depicting a plane crash on “memory lane”.

It’s an intriguing concept to create songs that on the one hand sound chill, yet on the other offer images of chaotic scenes and use bouncy rhythms that find yourself dancing along to. Yet with this concept, and undeniable chemistry, TAKING MEDS have created a solid rock album that goes from the upbeat Outside, to the more grunge-focused Long Tooth, to the stunning breakdown during the bridge of Wading Out, to the punk meets rock ‘n’ roll feel of concluding track See The Clowns.

The two main highlights however would have to be The Other End, a track that perfectly captures the band’s skill in creating an energetic song that doesn’t fully delve into a loud breakdown, yet you feel fully satisfied with the catchy chorus; along with Kindness that, honestly, goes in so many different directions. To break it down, it starts with bass paired up with bells that genuinely make it sound like a Christmas song, then it goes into a bouncy rock track focused on drums and vocals, and then it brings in vocals from guest Jess Hall of OLDSOUL. All that plus the constant switching between the upbeat and laidback style, and catchy choruses of “ah’s”, this track has everything going for it.

Catchy hooks, check. Bouncy rhythms, check. The skill to sound so effortlessly laidback yet you still hold the attention of listeners, check. Dial M For Meds is a solid record full of many twists and turns, all while the band come across as completely nonchalant about the whole thing

Rating: 7/10

Dial M For Meds is out now via Smartpunk Records.

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