Ratworld is the debut album from Leeds based, 5 piece fuzzed-up pop noise-makers Menace Beach; core Menace Beachers Ryan Needham and Liz Violet are assisted by members of fellow Leeds band Hookworms, including Matthew “MJ” Johnson who produced the album.
First track 'Come On Give Up' takes 30 seconds for the first squeal of feedback and by the time you've heard the bass rumble and falsetto vocals of the chorus kick in they've got you hooked.
Early 90's grunge influences are everywhere: My Bloody Valentine's chiming drone guitars on 'Elastic' and notably 'Dig It Up'; early Nirvana in the title track and 'Infinite Donut' and Pixies stuff all over the place.
'Lowtalkin' ' is a two minute punky thrash , with the backing vocals screaming the title through the first minute which then turns into a Dinosaur Jr. style instrumental for the second half of the track.
Single 'Taste Likes Medicine ' starts with dreamy vocals, then speeds along before crashing into the chorus, which you'll still be singing long after you've first heard it.
Last track 'Fortune Teller' cleverly mixes grungy 90s ringing guitars into vocals from The Beatles in their dreamy acid daze.
If you like your early 90's pop-grunge; fuzzy guitars with sing-along melodies brought into 2015 check out Menace Beach, you'll not be disappointed.
On tour with The Cribs during March.
Alisdair Whyte
7/11
