ALBUM REVIEW: The Goat – Puppy

It seems like we’ve been waiting a decade for PUPPY‘s highly anticipated debut album, but the day has finally come. The trio from London have been making a good name for themselves, given their lack of a full-length release’ stellar tours with the likes of CREEPER and KING 810, along with acclaimed performances at festivals such as Download Festival and Bloodstock Open Air have seen their stock rise handsomely. The proof is in the pudding, as the saying goes however, and when The Goat is released from its paddock into the big wide world on Friday 25th, via Spinefarm Records, the question as to whether PUPPY are ready to become top dog will be answered.

A huge selling point up until now has been the consistency of the band’s musical output available. Their blend of throwback alt-rock with riffs the size of skyscrapers and a lovely dash of NWOBHM tradition has been heralded from all corners, so it’s wonderful to see that they’ve taken a leaf out of AC/DC‘s book and merely fine-tuned what isn’t broken as opposed to fixing it. With a dozen songs clocking in at just under 45 minutes, The Goat doesn’t outstay its welcome but is jam-packed with everything that fans have grown to love about PUPPY.

There are hooks and licks in here for days on end, ranging from the DEFTONES‘ hat tip on the excellent Poor Me to the massive nu-metal bounce on Handlebars and the chug of closer Demons that could have been written by JUDAS PRIEST. Even the two songs on the record that don’t quite hit the same heights – And So I Burn and Bathe In Blood, in case you were wondering – are still excellent pieces of music that envelope the listener and take them on a three-and-a-half minute journey begging to be repeated.

The other standout on The Goat is without question the mammoth choruses that litter the record. The harmonies between guitarist Jock Norton and bassist Will Michael are second to none, bringing to mind the likes of SMASHING PUMPKINS and FOO FIGHTERS with their infectious tones and feel-good impact. Even when combined with a seriously meaty riff, such as on the brilliant Entombed or overall highlight World Stands Still, there is never a moment where it feels mashed together without any consideration as to whether the two elements work together or not. Instead, it’s a coherent, intelligent work that is exactly what PUPPY needed to deliver at this stage to continue their elevation to bigger and better things.

In a number of social environments, the word ‘goat’ is stylised as ‘G.O.A.T’ and stands for ‘Greatest Of All Time’, most commonly when talking about an individual at the very peak of their career. It might have seemed bold for PUPPY to give that particular moniker to their first full record, particularly if the context was intended as mentioned, but the instant catch and strong thread running throughout means the notion that this could be a future classic is not as far-fetched as initially thought.

Rating: 9/10

The Goat is set for release January 25th via Spinefarm Records. 

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