CD: “The Rise Of Karaoke Culture and The Death Of Rock N’ Roll” by Lady Winwoods Maggot

Lady Winwood’s Maggot, any fan of local music in the Dorset area will know, these death western folk punk tour de force have cemented themselves a solid live act to go see, their spectacular energy, gutsy no bullshit attitudes and tight musicianshipand appeals to everyone.

So of course, as soon as the Steam Fair rolls around, as does a new Maggot album, I jumped at the chance to give it a look. I mean, I should be asleep right now, it’s roughly around about midnight, and I’ve got work to do tomorrow, but I don’t care, because the ominous, slightly mournful album opener Trash is mesmerizing me.

The album itself then. A metaphorical one finger salute to the X-Factor culture of today, tomorrow, and sadly the forseeable future, entitled “The Rise Of Karaoke Culture and The Death Of Rock N’ Roll” (TROKCATDORNR for “short”, perhaps?), the songs themselves cover the bands frustration at how the good old days of a guitar, a bass, a voice and a drummer making music has been overridden by the ‘karaoke culture’ that is so promoted in the general media. This is a follow-up from the previous covers album, a 20 plus track masterpiece known as Maggot FM, and the most recent original project, the rocky and awesome Buffalohead.

And it’s this old school charm that is really LWM’s forte, short, sharp punky blasts in songs like the misleading “Chavez”, starting out with a slow, gentle introduction, before a fast paced, rebel yell dominates the rest. Another interesting dynamic of the band is the use of banjos and mandolins in the rockier numbers, the folksy element of the cheerful mandolin really helps to set the groove in the inevitable instrumental, entitled “Trading Cages (Part One)”.

Now, I just looked over that paragraph, and I realised how snobbish and technical it sounded. It boils down to this, Lady Winwoods Maggot just make really damn good tunes. I have not met a single person who dislikes their own brand of music, and for me, frontman Mark Baynes’ gravelly tones really helps to reinforce the old school, balls out charm of these anthems.

Absolute killer tracks though, has to be the beast that is Poison Liberation (c’mon, that has to be one of the manliest titles for a song ever). It opens with a chorus of “hey!’s”, that immediately bursts straight into the catchiest melody since Funkytown.

Seriously, that last paragraph took me half an hour to right, I’ve been dancing away here.

But then there’s Stupidity Icons.

My god, what a song. Definitely secures its place as the defining track of the album theme. ‘Raising heroes and halfwits to help dumb us down’, Baynes barks, backed by the solid harmonies of bassist Tony Soffe and drummer Kev Marshall.

And I just heard the line “why don’t they give us a sick bag with each new track”. I couldn’t agree more, lyrically this is a fantastic tune, right down to the middle bridge of “Flash your tits, get a crown, jack off, cos you’re headed for a breakdown”.

Something to appeal to the small child, buried deep inside the heart of every person, huh?

And the titular track, The Rise Of Karaoke Culture and The Death Of Rock N’ Roll, names and shames, with no apology.

“Feed me at the breast of Simon Cowell”

I mean, how can you not love four guys who make brilliant, feel good music like this?

Oh, and as a little fun extra, Mark’s son had an input on this record, producing the middle section of the title track, with a heavy, almost dubstep style breakdown shaking things up, very ironically placed in an anti pop record. Along with this as well is a treat for long time fans, two remixes of Buffalohead tracks, Close To The Sun, and Buffalohead, both with the same electronic feel to them, and it’s a refreshing take on old favourites!

Now, it’s no secret that I absolutely adored this record, I’ve always been a fan of Maggot’s endeavours, and with their huge fanbase, ever expanding, it’s nice to see that they haven’t been disappointed at all!

Heavy, rebellious, fun and just outright great to listen to, The Rise Of Karaoke Culture and The Death Of Rock N Roll is a triumph. Top notch, lads.

Lady Winwood’s Maggot are…
Mark Baynes – Rhythm Guitar/Lead Vocals
Tony Soffe – Bass Guitar/Organ/Backing Vocals
Kev Marshall – Drums/ Background Vocals
Chris Hopgood – Lead Guitar/Banjo/Mandolin

Track Listing
Trash
Will You Still (Losing Faith)
Chavez
Trading Cages (Pt1), Instrumental
Treachery
Let The Bells Ring Me Home
Hollow Man
Poison Liberation
Saints And Angels
Stupidity Icons
The Rise Of Karaoke Culture and The Death Of Rock N Roll
The River
Close To The Sun (Baked Baynes Remix)
Buffalohead (Baked Baynes Remix)

Video

Links
http://www.ladywinwoodsmaggot.co.uk
http://www.moosemanor.co.uk
http://www.facebook.com/ladywinwoodsmaggot

Review By Mike Masters.