ALBUM REVIEW: Art, Religion & Chocolate Biscuits – Pete Bentham & The Dinner Ladies
Scouse art-punk collective, PETE BENTHAM & THE DINNER LADIES, are back with their newest record Art, Religion & Chocolate Biscuits. As the name would suggest, the record is something that juggles topics both fun and serious where one moment you’re smiling and laughing along to silly stories, the next you find yourself feeling emotional and connected to deeply personal lyrics. The subject matter itself is a nod to Pete Bentham’s upbringing on a council estate in Widnes and his experiences regarding the people he knew, the heavily religious community and, of course, chocolate biscuits. For anyone to open up about personal experiences and struggles, and then to have people relate, is a highly regarded skill. But to do that plus also have people also smiling and laughing along is just exceptional.
Opening things up is Shed, that starts out with energetic drumbeats and vocals that capture that punk shouts whilst also being somewhat spoken word. When the guitar riffs come in you are at first under the impression that we’re in for a catchy punk tune, yet the harmonious backing vocals (a recurring feature on this record) give it a melodic quality, and then the, what sounds to be, saxophone shifts the song style into something of the ska punk variety. A fun composition to have alongside lyrics around the nostalgia of a grandparent’s garden shed and seeking that same type of safe place now.
And that’s the beauty with this record. It’s able to capture that nostalgia from childhood regarding things that might be considered minor now, yet it meant so much to us at that point in time. Such as in Mermaids In The Mersey that, as the title suggests, reminisces on stories told to Bentham as a child about mermaids and how he swears he could hear them in his dreams, brought to life by low bass and piano with the accompaniment of waves by the seaside. And Stand By Your Nan, a fun punk song that gives a shout out, and love, towards grandparents and reminding us to be kind given their life experiences compared to us at the same age.
Yet in that same breath we also deal with more serious topics from childhood. Attention Deficit Retention is laid back with low drums and bass and seemingly acts as a commentary of sticking out at school for being ‘different’ and considered as simply lazy for not paying attention. And Holy Pictures reflects on religious imagery Bentham saw as a child and the religious trauma that followed with being told what to do and how to behave in a certain way, otherwise you won’t go to heaven.
And of course we can’t ignore the songs covering issues more related to adult life like Is There Life In Rhyl?, a satirical punk song that criticises those that blame minorities for their problems. And then there’s closing track, Lie Down a slow, moody track that goes over feelings relating to depression and mental fatigue that, on the one hand, can make you smile bittersweetly with the longing to just lie down, whilst still pulling at heart strings and leaving you emotional with the relatable lyrics about disassociating. A beautiful song truly. A gem of a punk record to make you smile about life. It’s a standout amongst this year’s album releases.
Rating: 8/10
Art, Religion & Chocolate Biscuits is out now via 9×9 Records.
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