ALBUM REVIEW: TRIGGERED! – Massive Wagons
Although the lifestyle of a rockstar can be seen as rather glamorous, let it not be forgotten that what we call ‘metal’ started in the steel mills and terraces of suburban Birmingham and that, at its very heart, the alternative scene is rooted in the working classes. Much has changed, but there are still some bands out there who wear that simple premise on their sleeve; step forward MASSIVE WAGONS.
The rock and roll quintet from Lancaster have gone from being local heroes to national treasures in what feels like as much time as it takes to make a sandwich, but their output speaks for itself, with their last two albums charting at #16 and #9 respectively in the main UK Album charts and TRIGGERED!, their fifth effort and released via Earache Records, will be looking to do the same when it’s unleashed.
The WAGONS‘ penchant for often sitting on the sillier end of the lyrical spectrum – The Curry Song says it all – has meant they’ve had a fair share of detractors who say they don’t take things seriously. As such, opening track Fuck The Haters takes on more than just a song aimed at anti-bullying, but one straight back at their harshest critics to say they’re not going anywhere. Indeed, following track Please Stay Calm sees a band taking on a more mature sound, the guitars reminiscent of DEF LEPPARD at times and the song being less rock and roll, more AOR. Generation Prime, on the other hand, is full of bounce and colour as the band lampoon those who can’t wait for stuff to arrive; mind you, it’s pretty hard for any song to lack that when Benji Webbe is appearing on guest vocals.
The rest of the album is suitably fun – A.S.S.H.O.L.E scratches an itch that STATUS QUO have managed for over half a century, the title track is a beautiful slap in the face to those who have nothing better to do than get upset over things that don’t concern them and Skateboard, suitably given the name, brings back memories of the early 00’s and the snotty-nosed pop punk movement that swept through the world’s youth.
More importantly though, TRIGGERED! is an album that shows classic rock, as a genre, is in very rude health; the bands that delighted audiences decades ago may either be on their way out or long gone in terms of activity, but when the likes of MASSIVE WAGONS are around – ditto outfits such as STONE BROKEN and THOSE DAMN CROWS – it’s more than enough proof that the love for this style of music will continue long after the aforementioned trio have hung up their guitars and drumsticks as well.
In today’s world of pushing musical boundaries, sometimes less is more, and MASSIVE WAGONS have proved that with aplomb. There will always be a place for straight up riffs, no more than three chords and songs to belt out with a beer in hand; TRIGGERED! hasn’t just secured that spot, it’s set up home.
Rating: 8/10
TRIGGERED! is out now via Earache Records.
Like MASSIVE WAGONS on Facebook.