That Fucking Tank - TFT (CD)

That Fucking Tank have always been a reliable source of audio entertainment. Their shows are consistently a pleasure to attend and the three LP's that preceded 'TFT' are some of the finest ROCK rekkids committed to tape in the modern (and depressingly digital) age. After a phenomenal amount of time playing together in one form or another That Fucking Tank's Andy Abbott (Baritone guitar split between bass and guitar amps) and James Islip (Bass Drum, Snare, Hi-Hats and Ride) have chosen to conceptualise 'TFT' as a review of their twenty year musical friendship, showcasing their continued virtuosity whilst giving us a glimpse of the musical influences that have helped shape their musical evolution. Tank have always delivered frenzied, heavy ass rock riffs and I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear there's no let up in that department. It doesn't take a genius to figure out the reasoning behind soon to be classic 'NWONWOBH' and opener 'TFT' (which you've gotta assume is a take on ACDC's 'TNT') and the riffage obviously speaks for itself yet in contrast we are also treated to two of Tank's most laid back numbers, 'Lomond' and 'End Of Wonderful World', tracks that nod casually to the duo's affinity with country, folk, found audio recordings, semi-improvised post-rock and ambient strands of D.I.Y music. Then there's the predominant influence...PUNK FUCKING ROCK!!! 'Nailbomb' pays homage to the brutal might of Middlesboughs power violence pioneers Voorhees with a cover of 'Nailbomb' (telling the first track released on the now defunct Bradford DIY hardcore label Armed With Anger) as well a treating us to their own original punk thrasher 'D8'. What really ties the album together for me is the inclusion of a reworking of 'Acid Trax' by Phuture entitled 'Acid Jam', a song that is telling in it's interpretation and explains everything you need to know about Tank's merging of rock riffage and their fascination for repetition, dancing and good times. Then there's 'Wonderful World Of', a track that screams positive good times with it's 'guns out' delivery of a beautifully melodic rock riff. Robert Whiteley once again returns as engineer bringing the 'practically live' sound that suits the band so well and proving once again that he's one of the finest engineers currently doing the rounds. Couldn't be more happy with this lad. Great record. Also worth noting the s-weet Crass-esque sleeve and the bands return to there own label Obscene Baby Auction, one of the more successful D.I.Y label outings undertaken in the West Yorkshire area. You can listen/download the labels complete back catalog from thier bandcamp website for free! This is something you should most definitely do. Buy the album too though you dirty cheapskate's.